President Bush signs Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection

FAIRFAX, Va., August 03, 2004--President George Bush has signed new food labeling legislation that will provide clear, consistent and reliable ingredient label information--an essential first line of defense for the 11 million of Americans who have food allergies, according to The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). The new labeling bill will ensure that all allergens are disclosed and the ingredient terms are understandable to the average consumer and not just scientists.

The bill, which will take effect January 1, 2006, is referred to as The Food Allergen and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and is included as Title II of Senate Bill 741.

"This is an historic piece of legislation for the millions of Americans with food allergies. After 13 years of working collaboratively with the food industry, medical community and members of Congress, we are assured what is on the label is in the package ," said Anne Muñoz-Furlong, CEO & Founder of FAAN, a patient advocacy group (www.foodallergy.org). "The legislation takes the guesswork out of all the different scientific references for simple names like milk and egg."

The legislation will require food manufacturers to identify, in plain, common language, the presence of any of the eight major food allergens (milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy).

FALCPA also requires food labels to indicate the presence of major food allergens used in spices, flavorings, additives, and colorings, which had previously been exempt from allergen labeling. This closes a loop hole that puts people at risk from "hidden" or undeclared ingredients.

FALCPA also calls on the federal government to improve the collection of food allergy data; to convene a panel of experts to review food allergy research efforts; to report to Congress on the number of allergen inspections done of food manufacturing facilities over a two-year period, and the ways in which these facilities can reduce or eliminate cross-contact; to consider revisions of the Food Code to provide allergen-free preparation guidelines for restaurants and food service establishment; and investigate consumer preference pertaining to advisory food labeling such as precautionary "May Contain" statements.

FALCPA is the result of years of hard work and a cooperative effort involving the food industry, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FAAN, other consumer advocacy groups, concerned families nationwide, and bi-partisan efforts by federal legislators such as Senators Judd Greg (R-NH) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Representative Joe Barton (R-TX), Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Representative Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), Chair of the House Subcommittee of Health, Representative Jim Greenwood (R-PA) and Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY), who originally introduced the legislation.

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