[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 92 (Friday, May 15, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                      FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 15, 2020

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, this is a special week for the more than 
32 million Americans living with potentially life-threatening food 
allergies. Food Allergy Awareness Week, May 10 through 16, is dedicated 
to raising awareness about the challenges our food allergy families and 
friends face each and every day.
  Of course, this year's Food Allergy Awareness Week comes at a 
critical time. Our country is grappling with its greatest public health 
threat in over a century. The COVID-19 pandemic has made life even more 
challenging for most Americans, including our food allergy families. 
The New York Times recently reported on the lack of safe, healthy, and 
affordable food choices for allergic families. In addition, CNBC 
reported that the threat of contracting the corona virus is keeping 
people away from visiting emergency rooms. In ordinary times, a food 
allergy reaction sends one person in the U.S. to the emergency room 
every three minutes. During the pandemic, food allergy families have 
needed to change the way they prepare for emergency care related to 
anaphylaxis.
  Individuals and families with food allergies are resilient, and I 
have long been inspired by their courage to navigate life's challenges. 
That's why I have been working for the past year with FARE (Food 
Allergy Research & Education), the world's leading food allergy 
advocacy organization, to improve the quality of life for the more than 
1.5 million Americans allergic to sesame.
  Sesame is a common ingredient and is found in food like bread, 
cookies, and pizza dough. But many people don't know that it is also 
found in other items such as candy corn, ice cream, and sushi.
  Sesame's widespread use is why those allergic to it desperately need 
to know what foods it is found in so they can avoid this ingredient. 
Unfortunately, that information does not exist. Currently, sesame is 
often labeled as a ``natural flavor'' or as a ``spice'' on the 
ingredients label leaving millions of Americans unable to make smart 
and healthy food decisions to protect themselves or their family 
members.
  Thankfully, there is hope. Last year, I wrote and introduced the Food 
Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act, H.R. 
2117 that would require sesame be added to the list of allergens that 
must be labeled. It would join other common allergens like milk, eggs, 
and peanuts that are already labeled. The FASTER Act is the first 
meaningful food allergy legislation at the federal level in more than a 
decade and would change the lives for millions of Americans. The FASTER 
Act is a bipartisan solution that provides food allergy families with 
the life-saving information they need.
  I am proud to fight for food allergy families and during this year's 
Food Allergy Awareness Week, I urge my colleagues to join with me in 
support of the more than 32 million Americans affected by life-
threatening food allergies.

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