ACR 82, as introduced, Pan. Food allergy awareness.
This measure would encourage all Californians to make themselves and their families aware of the risk of food allergies and preventative measures, and to educate themselves regarding emergency responses and would declare September as food Alergy Awareness Month.
Fiscal committee: no.
P1 1WHEREAS, As many as 15 million people in the United States
2have a food allergy; and
3WHEREAS, Research indicates the prevalence of food allergies
4is increasing among children. Six million children under 18 years
5of age, roughly two in every classroom, have a food allergy; and
6WHEREAS, The eight foods that cause 90 percent of all food
7allergy reactions in the United States are shellfish, fish, milk, eggs,
8tree nuts, peanuts, soy, and wheat; and
9WHEREAS, A food allergy occurs when the immune system
10mistakenly targets a harmless food protein, an allergen, as a threat
11and attacks it. The immune system releases abnormally large
12amounts of antibodies that fight the food allergens, which in turn
13trigger the symptoms of an allergic reaction; and
P2 1WHEREAS, Symptoms of a food allergy can include a tingling
2sensation in the mouth, swelling of the tongue and throat, difficulty
3breathing, hives, vomiting, a drop in blood pressure, loss of
4consciousness, or death; and
5WHEREAS, Consumption of a food allergen may lead to
6anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal condition in which several different
7parts of the body experience the allergic reaction and can, within
8minutes of exposure, lead to difficulty breathing and
9unconsciousness; and
10WHEREAS, The Natalie Giorgi Sunshine Foundation was
11created after the death of Natalie Marie Giorgi, a 13-year-old girl
12who passed away because of a severe allergic reaction to peanuts,
13in order to reduce dangerous food allergy deaths by spreading
14public awareness, providing education regarding emergency
15responses, and increasing the availability of epinephrine injectors
16in public places; and
17WHEREAS, There is no cure for a food allergy, and the only
18sure way to avoid a reaction is to exercise strict avoidance of an
19allergen; and
20WHEREAS, Food Allergy Research and Education, a nonprofit
21organization, works on behalf of 15 million people in the United
22States with food allergies to ensure the safety of individuals with
23food allergies by providing education and resources and investing
24in research that advances treatment and understanding of food
25allergies; now, therefore, be it
26Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
27thereof concurring, That all Californians be encouraged to make
28themselves and their families aware of the risk of food allergies
29and preventative measures, and to educate themselves regarding
30emergency responses; and be it further
31Resolved, That September is Food Allergy Awareness Month;
32and be it further
33Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
34of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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