[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      H.R. 3684 FOOD ALLERGEN AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT OF 2003

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                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3684, the 
Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act. This act mandates 
clear labeling to protect consumers from medical problems caused by the 
eight major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, 
tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. These irritants are found in a 
wide variety of packaged foods, and account for an estimated 90 percent 
of all food allergies.
  Food allergies can drastically affect the quality of life for the 
seven million Americans who suffer from them. Approximately 30,000 
individuals each year require emergency room treatment for food 
allergies, and about 150 die each year. The eight percent of all 
children in America who have these allergies and their families deserve 
our help and support in dealing with the challenges they face in their 
daily lives.
  As there is no cure for food allergies, the only protection against 
reactions to these foods is to avoid them altogether. But without 
proper labeling, parents cannot ever be sure their children are safe. 
One mislabeled product, one misleading claim, can be fatal. We need 
tough standards to ensure that food producers provide adequate 
information on packaging. This legislation provides those standards by 
requiring that foods containing any of the eight major food allergens 
be labeled in a clear and easy-to-understand way, so parents can feel 
confident in their choices.
  This bill also addresses trace allergens, another major concern of 
those who live with food allergies. Products which claim to be allergen 
free can still be contaminated with these products during the 
manufacturing process. This bill requires the Department of Health and 
Human Services to effectively track which foods are unintentionally 
contaminated with major food allergens during the manufacturing 
process, and to recommend alternate processes to reduce such 
contamination.
  Mr. Speaker, food allergies create a major obstacle for allergy 
sufferers and their families. The dangers of allergic reactions 
restrict options for travel, socializing, working and learning. This 
legislation can help prevent avoidable allergic reactions and provide 
additional peace of mind to families. I commend the gentlelady (Mrs. 
Lowey) from New York for bringing this legislation to the floor, and I 
urge my colleagues to support it.

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