Awareness
News
Commit to Take Action in 2008!
by Andrea Levario, JD, Executive Director, American Celiac Disease Alliance
The New Year is only a few weeks old and many have started thinking about how they can get involved (or more involved) with the celiac community. For starters, become a Celiac Advocate!
About 100,000 Americans have been diagnosed with celiac disease. That’s a mere one percent of the 3 million Americans estimated to have the genetic condition. Awareness is about numbers. It takes a number of people to make noise, raise a ruckus, GET ATTENTION. We want every person with CD, their families and friends, to make a commitment to help raise awareness in 2008. Locally, there are a number of things you can do -- post information on a library bulletin board, chat with parents at a PTA meeting, drop flyers at a local health fair.
Before legislators will focus on the big issues affecting our community – more funding for research, insurance coverage for GF foods or reimbursement for dietitians – there’s lots of educating to do. That’s why Rep. Nita Lowey introduced H.Con.Res. 70, endorsing May as National Celiac Disease Awareness Month to have the United States join with a majority of the countries around the world. Her goal is to educate colleagues in Congress about the world’s most common inherited disease. To date, 32 out of 435 of those colleagues have signed-on to support the bill. We need the backing of many, many, more.
One, Two, THREE – It only takes 3 minutes to be an Advocate.
Go to: www.americanceliac.org/advocacy.htm and click on “Action Alert.” Fill out the form. Hit the send button. The letter urging your legislator to support celiac awareness will be on its way!
Go to: www.americanceliac.org/advocacy.htm and click on “Action Alert.” Fill out the form. Hit the send button. The letter urging your legislator to support celiac awareness will be on its way!
That letter combined with those of 5 or 10 others will get a Representative wondering what celiac disease is all about. He or she will start asking questions and we’re ready with the answers. In just 3 minutes you will have made a difference.
At the same time, the American Celiac Disease Alliance (ACDA) will be talking with staff and members about the unique issues faced by those with the condition. The ACDA will be continuing conversations with the FDA, USDA, insurers, food manufacturers, and others about prescription drugs, the school lunch program, labeling gluten-free foods. The greater the level of awareness, the easier it is to have these conversations.
You are the starting point for raising awareness. Awareness is advocating for yourself, your child, our community. Make the commitment – be a Celiac Advocate this year!
For more information visit:
American Celiac Disease Alliance
www.americanceliac.org
Lowey Bill (H.CON.RES 70) Endorses May as National Celiac Awareness Month
Your voice will make a difference!
On February 16, 2007, Representative Nita Lowey introduced H.Con.Res. 70, which endorses May as Celiac Awareness Month, and calls for increased federal funding for celiac research.
Rep. Lowey was one of the lead sponsors of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) which requires food manufacturers to list the top 8 allergens on their product labels. The law also required the FDA to set rules for using the term 'gluten-free' when labeling products.
CELIAC DISEASE FOUNDATION, as a member of the American Celiac Disease Alliance, applauds Rep. Lowey for her continued efforts to raise awareness about celiac disease, and for her support of our community.
Ask your representative to cosponsor H.Con.Res. 70. Email them directly by going to the ACDA online advocacy site www.capwiz.com/celiac and entering your zip code under "Elected Officials." Your voice will make a difference.
To read the entire H. Con. Res. 70 click here
Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration 21 CFR Chapter 1 (Docket No. 2005N-0279)
This is the notice of a public meeting August 19, 2005.
For More Information Click Here
The notice appeared in the Federal Register/Volt. 70, No. 137/ Tuesday, July
19, 2005
Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA)
FALCPA was passed by the House of Representatives on July 20, 2004. The measure was signed into law by President Bush on August 2, 2004 (Public Law 108-282).
The new law will require:
- food statements to list in plain language, what, if any, of the eight main food allergens (milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, Crustacean shellfish, soy and wheat) are contained in the product
- allergens to be listed if used in spices, natural or artificial flavorings, additives, and colorings
- the FDA to examine how best to address the problem of unintentional contamination and cross-contact of foods, and determine the best way to inform consumers with food allergies about the risk of cross-contact, and
- the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish rules (By August 2, 2008) for the voluntary labeling of products as "gluten-free"
U.S. Food And Drug Administration - Food Advisory Committee
The Food Advisory Committee Meeting met in Greenbelt, MD, July 13-15, 2005
"Approaches to Establish Thresholds for Major Food Allergens and for Gluten in Food"
This Committee has been asked to evaluate the Threshold Working Group draft report "Approaches to Establish Thresholds for Major Food Allergens and for Gluten In Food". The Committee is charged with advising the FDA on whether the draft report is scientifically sound in its analyses and approaches and whether the draft report adequately considers available relevant data on major food allergens and on gluten. In addressing these issues, FDA requests that the Committee consider specific questions.
Speaking for the celiac community were:
Pekka Collin, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Medical School University of Tempere Tempere, Finland
Alessio Fasano, MD
Professor Pediatrics, Medicine & Physiology, Director, Mucosal Biology Research Center, Center for Celiac Research, University of Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Donald D. Kasarda, Ph.D.
Retired, Consultant, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Western Regional Center, Albany, CA
Cynthia Kupper, RD, CD
Executive Director, Gluten Intolerance Group Seattle, WA
Joseph A. Murray, MD
Professor of Medicine, The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Rochester, MN
