Sponsored by:
Senator RICHARD J. CODEY
District 27 (Essex and Morris)
SYNOPSIS
Designates second week in May of each year as Food Allergy Awareness Week.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the second week in May of each year as Food Allergy Awareness Week.
Whereas, Food allergies affect approximately 15 million Americans, including six million children; and
Whereas, A food allergy is an immune system response to a food the body mistakenly believes is harmful; and
Whereas, When a person with a food allergy consumes food containing allergens, his or her immune system releases certain chemicals, such as histamine, that trigger symptoms affecting the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal tract, the skin, and the cardiovascular system; and
Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 1997 and 2011, the prevalence of food allergies rose 50 percent and appears to be increasing among children; and
Whereas, Those suffering from food allergies are typically allergic to foods such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish; and
Whereas, There is no cure for food allergies, and as a result, strict avoidance is the only way to prevent an allergic reaction; and
Whereas, Managing a food allergy on a daily basis involves constant vigilance as trace amounts of an allergen can trigger an allergic reaction in certain individuals; and
Whereas, Public education regarding food allergies is necessary to promote food allergy awareness and support those who are impacted by food allergies; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The second full week in May of each year is designated as Food Allergy Awareness Week.
2. The Governor may annually issue a proclamation recognizing the second full week of May of each year is designated as Food Allergy Awareness Week and call upon public officials and the residents of the State of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs, including the distribution of orange ribbons.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the second week in May of each year as Food Allergy Awareness Week.
Food allergies affect approximately 15 million Americans, including six million children. A food allergy is an immune system response to a food the body mistakenly believes is harmful. When a person with a food allergy consumes food containing allergens, his or her immune system releases certain chemicals, such as histamine, that trigger symptoms affecting the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal tract, the skin, and the cardiovascular system.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 1997 and 2011, the prevalence of food allergies rose 50 percent and appears to be increasing among children. Those suffering from food allergies are typically allergic to foods such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish.
There is no cure for food allergies, and as a result, strict avoidance is the only way to prevent an allergic reaction. Managing a food allergy on a daily basis involves constant vigilance as trace amounts of an allergen can trigger an allergic reaction in certain individuals. Public education regarding food allergies is necessary to promote food allergy awareness and support those who are impacted by food allergies.