Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection

For those with severe, life threatening food allergies, accurate and reliable information about ingredients in foods is absolutely essential. The Food Allergen Labeling Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) which goes in to effect in 2006 will lift some of the burden for those for whom knowing what is in a food is a matter of life and death.

House bill S.3684 has passed!!!

Congratulations to everyone that has worked so hard to make this possible. Thank you, Rep. Lowey! Thank you, Senator Kennedy!

What's this all about?

The effort to insure accurate, easy-to-understand labeling is not as simple as one might think (see history). Legislation has been passed to clearly label foods as organic, but little has been done to protect those with severe food allergies from accidental exposure by mandating clear and consistent labeling of foods containing known allergens. This page contains information that may be helpful for those who wish to take an active role in encouraging legislation to make life better for those with food allergies.

Scroll down or use these links for more information on food allergy legislation, a list of other related links, and instructions for submitting comments. Look at the progress page to see how things are going in getting legislative support. Click here for more information about contacting your representatives.

News
7/20/04

Links

Help

If you would like to be informed by email when this site is updated, or when significant legislative events happen, use the anonymous feedback form and check off the notification check box, and be sure to include your email address.

In a 'Nutshell'

The problem is that allergic reactions to foods can be provoked by less than 1/5000th of an ounce of an allergen¹. Such trace amounts are well above the levels caused by cross-contamination in poorly developed industrial food manufacturing. Another factor is that allergens can be disguised in food ingredients. For example, soy lecithin obviously comes from soybeans (soybeans are one of the so-called 'big eight' allergens), but less obvious is that lecithin not made from soy likely contains egg (another 'big eight' allergen). But under existing labeling laws, it is not required for soy or egg to be specifically identified on a food label of a product containing one of these ingredients, making it confusing or difficult for someone with food allergies to make an informed decision. .

The urgent need is to insure that at least the so-called 'big eight' allergens - soybeans, eggs, milk, peanuts, wheat, fish, shellfish, and tree nuts - are all clearly specified on the labels of foods in which they are found, and by the common name by which they are known.

So-called "voluntary" compliance is useless, since a single exception can cause a fatality. Its impossible to know which companies have adopted voluntary labeling and have safe foods, and which have not and have improperly labeled foods. Only if 100% of all food labels can be trusted, can any food labels be trusted.

The flip side of the coin is "may contain" labeling, used as an "out" to relieve manufacturers of the burden of proper labeling, while protecting them from litigation. Such labeling either places all such foods off limits to those with food allergies (some large manufacturers label virtually all of their foods with this catch-all phrase) or leads to a reverse false sense of security that even if foods are so marked, they are probably safe anyway.

Another complication in the food labeling issue is terminology. In one study it was found that as few as 7% of parents could properly identify milk and soy from common food labels. Labels that fall short of their primary purpose to inform because of the use of technical jargon are not acceptable when a life is at stake.

Only federal legislation can begin to generate the confidence needed for food allergy sufferers to truly feel safe.

How You Can Help

The most important thing you can do is contact your representative or senator! Here you can find information to help get you started.
Make sure your representatives know about pending legislation, and commit to supporting it. Encourage them to co-sponsor it. Very important are representatives on the committee to which legislation has been referred. They have the life of the bill in their hands. If your representative is on one of these vital committees, ask them to support the bill in committee, and help bring it to a vote.
Secondly, let me know if you contact your representatives about a piece of legislation (and which legislation), and whether they plan to support the legislation. Since the wheels of Washington move slowly, it will be encouraging to track what progress we can. You can view a tally of representatives that have been contacted, and their position on various food allergy legislation. You can send me email at <allergies@shamrockbay.com>, or leave a message using the anonymous feedback form.
Another way you can help is to make sure that the advocacy groups you are paying to advocate for you, really are! You should understand clearly what your advocacy groups are doing on your behalf and why, based on the materials they send you and what they post on their web site. If you don't feel they are delivering your money's worth, then let them know! If they aren't listening, then let your wallet do the talking!
If you wish, you may leave feedback for me, or for the other visitors of this site.

Recent News

07/20/04 - The world got a little safer today, at least for those with food allergies. The FALCPA was passed by Congress and now awaits the President's signature. Read more here. In 2006 it will be possible to tell from a food's label if it is safe. Congratulations, Andrew!

Thank you all for your hard work to make this possible!

06/17/04 - Rep. Allen from Maine has signed on, bringing the total count to 54! Also, though not mentioned on the Thomas web site, its been reported in the news that H.R.3684 has been approved by the Subcommittee on Health and is now under consideration by the house Committee on Energy and Commerce. Consideration is over whether to accept the Senate version, or re-enter the reconciliation process. Let your representatives know we need this now, not later!

06/09/04 - H.R.3684 now has a total of FIFTY-THREE co-sponsors! Your efforts are making a difference. Keep up the pressure!

05/18/04 - Two new sponsors this week for H.R.3684!

05/05/04 - H.R.3684 has added four new sponsors! Many thanks to the folks in Washington, California and Maryland! (Click here for a list of sponsors).

04/21/04 - Five new co-sponsors have signed on! This brings the total to 43! Only 397 to go!

04/05/2004 - Added RSS Feed for legislative news.

04/02/2004 - Two new co-sponsors for H.R.3684! This is going to happen! Go! Go! Go!

03/25/2004 - Three new co-sponsors for H.R.3684! We're getting there! Keep up the pressure!

03/10/2004 - If you live in Illinois or Minnesota and wrote to your Representative recently - THANKS!

TWO new co-sponsors were added from these states on Wednesday! KEEP IT UP!

03/08/2004 - IT PASSED!!! Senate Bill S.741 has passed! To everyone that contacted your Senators, GREAT JOB!!! There have been several press releases on this tremendous step:

Two-thirds of the work is done. Now comes the hard part. Contact your representative and insist that they co-sponsor H.R.3684, the Food Allergen Labeling Consumer Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Nita Lowey.

We're close. VERY close. This CAN happen. Write TODAY!

03/05/2004 - Not "news" per se, but I updated the section on how to write to your representatives.

02/26/2004 - GREAT JOB! There are four new co-sponsors on H.R.3684 and one new co-sponsor on S.741! To those of you who contacted your reps in Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Washington State, thank you! If your reps aren't on the list, contact them today!

02/22/2004 - I have been getting questions about the strange way the FALCPA has been woven into S.741. To help clarify, here is the introductory description of Title II of S.741:

"The intent of Title II of S. 741 is to require plain English ingredient labeling of products that contain milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans--collectively referred to as the eight major food allergens."

The Thomas web site now has a reasonably plain text description of the Title II portion of S.741 that helps explain what the FALCPA is and what it will do if this bill is passed. Select the link for "TITLE II".

02/20/2004 - S.741 was placed on the Senate Legislative calendar on Wednesday. Hopefully this means that the bill is getting closer to a vote. However, don't stop urging your representatives to support this bill. It still has to be reconciled with the House version, and faces the possibility of being watered down as part of the reconciliation process. Let your reps know that we need this legislation to be strong! Urge them to co-sponsor this bill and send a message to Congress.

02/04/2004 - The good news is that both the House and Senate versions are still moving, but we still have a ways to go. H.R.3684 now has twenty-six co-sponsors, and S.741 now has twenty! This is great news, but we can't stop now. If they haven't appeared on the list of co-sponsors ( H.R.3684, S.741) urge your Senators and Representatives to sign on today!

A piece of stale news that I missed before now was a press release from John Kerry, announcing that he plans to insure correct labeling of foods during his "first hundred days". I'm trying to get information on the other candidates positions. If you hear anything, I'd like to know!

12/08/2003 - The pieces are in place! H.R.3684 has been introduced in the House by Nita Lowey. This is the companion bill for S.741 currently in the Senate. CALL your representatives TODAY and urge their support for H.R.3684 and S.741!!!

11/21/2003 - Its time. The FALCPA is here! However, a word of explanation is in order. Apparently Sen. Gregg determined that the best way to get the FALCPA through was to combine it with another bill, S.741, the Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act of 2003. Strange as it may seem, this is the bill we are pinning our hopes on to mandate a nationwide standard for the labeling of food allergens.

The bill is garnering support from a variety of organizations interested in promoting the welfare of those with food allergies. PLEASE write to your Senator immediately and urge support of the food labeling provisions of S.741. A house version should be introduced soon, and it will be posted here so you can write to your representative in the House, as well. Supporters:

Press release from Sen. Judd Gregg (PDF format, requires Adobe Acrobat)
Second press release from Sen. Judd Gregg (PDF format, requires Adobe Acrobat)
Press release from the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)
Press release from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)

9/30/2003 - The FALCPA may be introduced soon, but the approach is different than in previous years. Vigorous attempts are underway to insure adequate support to fast track and pass the bill quickly as soon as it is introduced. Instead of waiting until the bill is introduced, write to your representative NOW. Urge support for the FALCPA sponsored by Sen. Judd Gregg and Rep. Nita Lowey, ask your representative's position on the bill, and if you get a reply, let me know the result!

8/23/2003 - Thanks to an email from someone who saw this page, I just found out that another low-key food labeling bill was introduced earlier this year: H.R.1495. Although it doesn't address food allergies specifically, it is targeted at making food labeling more accurate and reliable, which is most of what those with food allergies really want.

8/7/2003 - At least one Senator and one Representative have confirmed that the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) is poised to be re-introduced in September! Start sharpening your pencils, and tune in here often for details. For those that can't wait, its not too early to request your representatives to contact the sponsors and join with them in co-sponsoring the FALCPA. Although there is no official indication yet, Representative Nita Lowey and Senator Edward Kennedy are good contacts for representatives looking to co-sponsor this important legislation.

7/24/2003 - Another co-sponsor signs on for H.R.2023, so apparently not all our representatives are on vacation! Also, though its not listed here, H.R.2790, the Breastfeeding Promotion Act (introduced July 18th), is likely to be of interest to parents of children with food allergies.

Also of possible interest to some parents, Senate Bill number 7 (S.7) has several amendments regarding pediatric drug labeling.

6/30/2003 - H.R.2023 and H.R.2018 both recently added sponsors and both are moving through committee, a good sign.

6/23/2003 - Although not recent news, Representative Nita Lowey, one of the strongest Congressional advocates for those with food allergies, has revamped her web page. Of particular note, this article is the first official mention of the revival of the FALCPA that I've been able to find.

6/2/2003 - Two new sponsors for H.R. 2023! Check the progress page to see if your representative has signed on!

Also, Nita Lowey re-introduced the Asthma Act (H.R. 2018) on May 7th!

5/21/2003 - H.R.2023 looks like its on a fast track. Three new sponsors have signed on this week, and one new sponsor has signed on for H.R.1149. Check back for information on Senate bill S.1004 soon.

5/14/2003 - A hearing on Massachusetts Senate Bill No. 513 was held at the Statehouse in Boston. There was an excellent turn out and much compelling testimony about the positive impact that making Massachusetts restaurants safer for those with food allergies will have. If you haven't contacted your Massachusetts state senator or representative, do it now!

5/8/2003 - H.R.467 is alive! Three new representatives have given their ultimate support by signing on as co-sponsors! Many thanks to Representatives Dennis Kucinich, Steve Rothman and Janice Schakowsky. And to those of you in Ohio, New Jersey and Illinois, respectively, who may have played a role by writing to your representatives, thanks to you too! Keep up the good work!

5/1/2003 - May is Food Allergy Awareness month. Find out what local events are scheduled in your area to help raise awareness of food allergies and their impact on schools, businesses and communities.

2/27/2003 - Inertia is building for H.R.467. Seven more representatives have joined Nita Lowey to co-sponsor the "Food Ingredient Right to Know Act". Contact your representative to express your support for this bill! Although there hasn't been too much in the press on this new legislation, there is a lot of related background material in this article from the CSPI web site regarding legislation proposed by Ted Kennedy and Nita Lowey during 2002.

2/14/2003 - H.R. 467 has been referred to the Subcommittee on Health. This is where six previous food allergen-related bills have died. If your representative is a member of the Subcommittee on Health, please contact them.

1/29/2003 - Nita Lowey (D-NY), along with two co-sponsors, has introduced H.R. 467, legislation to enforce clear and accurate labeling of known allergens in foods.

Short History of U.S. Legislative Efforts

Note: To find the text of a bill, go to the Thomas web site, and enter the bill (either "hr 999" or "s.999" for House and Senate, respectively) in the box labeled "Bill Number". To find bills introduced in previous sessions, choose one of the links beneath the heading Legislation, for example Bill Summary & Status, click on the session of Congress to search, and then enter the bill number.

If you have corrections or additions for the page, please refer to the comments section.

Legend
Pending: 6	Died in committee: 14	Passed: 2

Introduced	Session	Introduced by	Bill	Title	Co-sponsors & summary	Status
12/08/03	108th	Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY-18th)	H.R.3684	Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act	57 (6/17/04)	07/20/2004 *PASSED!!!*.
03/27/03	108th	Sen. Jeff Sessions (AL) (Title II by Judd Gregg, NH)	S.741	Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act of 2003 (Title II of this bill is the FALCPA)	21 (2/25/04)	03/08/2004 PASSED!.
5/7/2003	108th	Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL 6th)	H.R.2023	Asthmatic Schoolchildren's Treatment and Health Management Act of 2003	25 1/27/04	6/20/2003 Referred to Subcommittee on Health.
5/7/2003	108th	Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY-18th)	H.R.2018	Asthma Act	18	6/20/2003 Referred to Subcommittee on Health.
3/27/2003	108th	Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-6th)	H.R.1495	National Uniform Food Safety Labeling Act	0	4/10/2003 Referred to Subcommittee on Health.
3/6/2003	108th	Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA 37th)	H.R.1149	Asthma Awareness, Education and Treatment Act of 2003	4 12/8/03	3/17/2003 Referred to Subcommittee on Health.
1/29/2003	108th	Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY-18th)	H.R.467	Food Ingredient Right to Know Act	12 (as of 5/8/03)	2/14/2003 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
11/14/2002	107th	Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY-18th)	H.R.5747	Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA)	20	11/22/2002 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
9/25/2002	107th	Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA)	S.3001	Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA)	8	9/25/2002 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
5/9/2002	107th	Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA)	S.2499 (see also HR 4704)	Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA)	2	10/17/2002 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 739.
5/9/2002	107th	Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY-18th)	H.R.4704 (see also S.2499)	Food Allergen Consumer Protection Act	28	5/17/2002 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
5/22/2001	107th	Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL-9th)	H.R.1947	Safe Notification and Information for Fragrances Act	2	6/1/2001 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
5/10/2001	107th	Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-6th)	H.R.1816	National Uniform Food Safety Labeling Act	9	5/22/2001 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
5/2/2001	107th	Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY-18th)	H.R. 1682	Asthma Act	26	6/20/2001 Referred to the Subcommittee on Select Education.
4/3/2001	107th	Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY-18th)	H.R.1356	Food Ingredient Right to Know Act	4	4/25/2001 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
3/21/2001	107th	Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY-17)	H.R. 1144	Disease Research Revitalization Act of 2001	5	4/2/2001 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
10/24/2000	106th	Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY-18th)	H.R. 5532	Food Allergen Consumer Protection Act	0	11/8/2000 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.
9/21/2000	106th	Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL-9th)	H.R. 5238	Safe Notification and Information for Fragrances Act	1	10/20/2000 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.
9/28/1999	106th	Rep. Connie Morella* (R-MD-8th)	H.RES.309	...strategies to better protect millions of Americans with food allergies...	8	10/8/1999 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.
5/26/1999	106th	Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY-18th)	H.R.1965	Asthma Act	4	6/18/1999 Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families.
3/25/1999	106th	Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-6th)	H.R. 1346	National Uniform Food Safety Labeling Act	13	4/12/1999 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.

(* No longer in office)

Note regarding H.R. 2699: This bill has to do with food labeling. However, it is supported by the food industry, and not supported by public interest advocacy groups. Everyone has to follow their conscience, but I do not personally believe that this bill matches in spirit the other legislation on this site that is primarily intended to insure the health and safety of individuals who suffer from food allergies.

Government Leaders that have introduced legislation

Write to Representative Nita Lowey, Democrat, NY.
Write to Senator Ted Kennedy, Democrat, MA.
Write to Representative Jan Schakowsky, Democrat, IL.
Write to Representative Eliot Engel, Democrat, NY.
Write to Representative Frank Pallone, Democrat, NJ.
Write to Representative Cliff Stearns, Republican, FL.
Write to Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald

Other Advocates

These Senators and Representatives have all co-sponsored legislation to help protect and better the lives of those who suffer from food allergies.

Rep Barton, Joe [R-TX-6]
Rep Berkley, Shelley [NV-1]
Rep Brown, Sherrod [OH-13]
Rep Carson, Julia [IN-10]
Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4]
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [CT-3]
Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2]
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4]
Rep Frost, Martin [TX-24]
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-26]
Rep Hoeffel, Joseph M. [PA-13]
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12]
Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2]
Rep Jones, Stephanie Tubbs [OH-11]
Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9]
Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1]
Rep Kildee, Dale E. [MI-9]
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10]
Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2]
Rep Lantos, Tom [CA-12]
Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9]
Rep Levin, Sander M. [MI-12]
Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18]
Rep Millender-McDonald, Juanita [CA-37]
Rep Miller, George [CA-7]
Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8]
Rep Neal, Richard E. [MA-2]
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC]
Rep Owens, Major R. [NY-11]
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [NJ-6]
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10]
Rep Pelosi, Nancy [CA-8]
Rep Price, David E. [NC-4]
Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15]
Rep Rothman, Steve R. [NJ-9]
Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille [CA-33]
Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1]
Rep Sanders, Bernard [VT]
Rep Smith, Adam [WA-9]
Rep Smith, Christopher H. [NJ-4]
Rep Stark, Fortney Pete [CA-13]
Rep Thompson, Bennie G. [MS-2]
Rep Tierney, John F. [MA-6]
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10]
Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12]
Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-29]
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6]
Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY]
Sen Collins, Susan M. [ME]
Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT]
Sen Frist, Bill [TN]
Sen Gregg, Judd [NH]
Sen Jeffords, James M. [VT]
Sen Roberts, Pat [KS]

Co-sponsorship of Legislation

H.R.3684 (108th - 2003)

A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish labeling requirements with respect to allergenic substances in foods, and for other purposes.

Rep Abercrombie, Neil - 4/21/2004 [HI-1]
Rep Allen, Thomas H. 6/17/2004 - [ME-1]
Rep Baird, Brian - 3/31/2004 [WA-3]
Rep Bishop, Timothy H. - 4/21/2004 [NY-1]
Rep Bradley, Jeb - 3/24/2004 [NH-1]
Rep Brown, Sherrod - 12/8/2003 [OH-13]
Rep Davis, Danny K. - 3/31/2004 [IL-7]
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. - 12/8/2003 [CT-3]
Rep Emanuel, Rahm - 2/4/2004 [IL-5]
Rep Frank, Barney - 1/21/2004 [MA-4]
Rep Frost, Martin - 1/21/2004 [TX-24]
Rep Greenwood, James C. - 12/8/2003 [PA-8]
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. - 12/8/2003 [NY-22]
Rep Hoeffel, Joseph M. - 12/8/2003 [PA-13]
Rep Holt, Rush D. - 1/21/2004 [NJ-12]
Rep Inslee, Jay 6/3/2004 - [WA-1]
Rep Israel, Steve - 2/25/2004 [NY-2]
Rep Kildee, Dale E. - 1/21/2004 [MI-5]
Rep Langevin, James R. - 2/25/2004 [RI-2]
Rep Larsen, Rick - 3/24/2004 [WA-2]
Rep LaTourette, Steve C. - 12/8/2003 [OH-14]
Rep Lee, Barbara - 2/4/2004 [CA-9]
Rep Levin, Sander M. 6/2/2004 - [MI-12]
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. - 4/21/2004 [NY-14]
Rep McCollum, Betty - 1/21/2004 [MN-4]
Rep McDermott, Jim - 2/11/2004 [WA-7]
Rep McGovern, James P. - 2/25/2004 [MA-3]
Rep Meehan, Martin T. - 5/17/2004 [MA-5]
Rep Miller, George - 12/8/2003 [CA-7]
Rep Nethercutt, George R., Jr. - 5/4/2004 [WA-5]
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes - 12/8/2003 [DC]
Rep Olver, John W. - 3/24/2004 [MA-1]
Rep Owens, Major R. - 1/21/2004 [NY-11]
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. - 12/8/2003 [NJ-6]
Rep Price, David E. - 2/4/2004 [NC-4]
Rep Regula, Ralph - 5/17/2004 [OH-16]
Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille - 12/8/2003 [CA-34]
Rep Ryan, Paul 6/3/2004 - [WI-1]
Rep Sabo, Martin Olav - 3/10/2004 [MN-5]
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. - 3/10/2004 [IL-9]
Rep Schiff, Adam B. - 5/4/2004 [CA-29]
Rep Serrano, Jose E. - 12/8/2003 [NY-16]
Rep Shays, Christopher - 2/25/2004 [CT-4]
Rep Simmons, Rob - 4/21/2004 [CT-2]
Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh - 12/8/2003 [NY-28]
Rep Smith, Adam - 4/21/2004 [WA-9]
Rep Snyder, Vic - 2/4/2004 [AR-2]
Rep Tauscher, Ellen O. - 5/4/2004 [CA-10]
Rep Van Hollen, Chris - 2/4/2004 [MD-8]
Rep Waxman, Henry A. - 12/8/2003 [CA-30]
Rep Weldon, Curt 6/9/2004 - [PA-7]
Rep Wexler, Robert - 1/21/2004 [FL-19]
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. - 12/8/2003 [CA-6]
Rep Wynn, Albert Russell - 5/4/2004 [MD-4]

S.741 (108th - 2003)

A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with regard to new animal drugs, and for other purposes.

This bill successfully passed the Senate on March 8th, 2004.

Sen Allard, A. Wayne - 3/27/2003 [CO]
Sen Bingaman, Jeff - 3/27/2003 [NM]
Sen Cantwell, Maria - 2/25/2004 [WA]
Sen Collins, Susan M. - 3/27/2003 [ME]
Sen Craig, Larry E. - 3/27/2003 [ID]
Sen Crapo, Michael D. - 3/27/2003 [ID]
Sen Domenici, Pete V. - 5/13/2003 [NM]
Sen Durbin, Richard J. - 2/2/2004 [IL]
Sen Ensign, John E. - 3/27/2003 [NV]
Sen Enzi, Michael B. - 5/14/2003 [WY]
Sen Gregg, Judd - 3/27/2003 [NH]
Sen Harkin, Tom - 3/27/2003 [IA]
Sen Hatch, Orrin G. - 7/15/2003 [UT]
Sen Landrieu, Mary - 7/29/2003 [LA]
Sen Lincoln, Blanche - 3/27/2003 [AR]
Sen Miller, Zell - 3/27/2003 [GA]
Sen Murray, Patty - 7/9/2003 [WA]
Sen Pryor, Mark Lunsford - 9/23/2003 [AR]
Sen Shelby, Richard C. - 4/10/2003 [AL]
Sen Smith, Gordon - 5/22/2003 [OR]
Sen Wyden, Ron - 9/2/2003 [OR]

H.R. 2023 (108th - 2003)

To give a preference regarding States that require schools to allow students to self-administer medication to treat that student's asthma or anaphylaxis, and for other purposes.

Rep Barton, Joe - 5/7/2003 [TX-6]
Rep Bass, Charles F. - 5/9/2003 [NH-2]
Rep Brown, Corrine - 6/2/2003 [FL-3]
Rep Brown-Waite, Ginny - 5/22/2003 [FL-5]
Rep Christensen, Donna M. - 5/7/2003 [VI]
Rep Davis, Susan A. - 5/21/2003 [CA-53]
Rep Engel, Eliot L. - 5/9/2003 [NY-17]
Rep Foley, Mark - 5/15/2003 [FL-16]
Rep Frost, Martin - 10/8/2003 [TX-24]
Rep Issa, Darrell E. - 5/7/2003 [CA-49]
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila - 5/20/2003 [TX-18]
Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. - 5/7/2003 [RI-1]
Rep Kildee, Dale E. - 7/24/2003 [MI-5]
Rep Lantos, Tom - 6/4/2003 [CA-12]
Rep Lofgren, Zoe - 10/8/2003 [CA-16]
Rep McNulty, Michael R. - 5/9/2003 [NY-21]
Rep Owens, Major R. - 6/2/2003 [NY-11]
Rep Paul, Ron - 5/22/2003 [TX-14]
Rep Smith, Christopher H. - 5/7/2003 [NJ-4]
Rep Towns, Edolphus - 5/7/2003 [NY-10]
Rep Van Hollen, Chris - 5/14/2003 [MD-8]
Rep Walsh, James T. - 1/27/2004 [NY-25]
Rep Waters, Maxine - 5/8/2003 [CA-35]
Rep Waxman, Henry A. - 5/8/2003 [CA-30]
Rep Wynn, Albert Russell - 10/14/2003 [MD-4]

H.R. 2018 (108th - 2003)

To provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Education with increased authority with respect to asthma programs, and to provide for increased funding for such programs.

Rep Christensen, Donna M. - 5/7/2003 [VI]
Rep Clyburn, James E. - 5/7/2003 [SC-6]
Rep Davis, Danny K. - 5/7/2003 [IL-7]
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. - 5/7/2003 [CT-3]
Rep Emanuel, Rahm - 5/7/2003 [IL-5]
Rep Engel, Eliot L. - 5/7/2003 [NY-17]
Rep Green, Gene - 5/7/2003 [TX-29]
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. - 5/7/2003 [NY-22]
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila - 5/15/2003 [TX-18]
Rep Kildee, Dale E. - 5/7/2003 [MI-5]
Rep McCarthy, Carolyn - 5/7/2003 [NY-4]
Rep Nadler, Jerrold - 5/7/2003 [NY-8]
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes - 5/7/2003 [DC]
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. - 5/7/2003 [NJ-6]
Rep Rangel, Charles B. - 5/7/2003 [NY-15]
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. - 5/7/2003 [IL-9]
Rep Towns, Edolphus - 5/7/2003 [NY-10]

H.R. 1495 (108th - 2003)

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to safeguard public health and provide to consumers food that is safe, unadulterated, and honestly presented.

[No co-sponsors]

H.R. 1149 (108th - 2003)

To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out programs regarding the prevention and management of asthma, allergies, and related respiratory problems, to establish a tax credit regarding pest control and indoor air quality and climate control services for multifamily residential housing in low-income communities, and for other purposes.

Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. - 12/8/2003 [RI-1]
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes - 3/6/2003 [DC]
Rep Owens, Major R. - 3/6/2003 [NY-11]
Rep Rangel, Charles B. - 5/20/2003 [NY-15]

H.R. 467 (108th - 2003)

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that foods containing spices, flavoring, or coloring derived from meat, poultry, other animal products (including insects), or known allergens bear labeling stating that fact and their names.

Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. - 1/29/2003 [CT-3]
Rep Frost, Martin - 2/27/2003 [TX-24]
Rep Kaptur, Marcy - 2/27/2003 [OH-9]
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. - 5/8/2003 [OH-10]
Rep Lee, Barbara - 1/29/2003 [CA-9]
Rep Miller, George - 2/27/2003 [CA-7]
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. - 2/27/2003 [NJ-6]
Rep Rothman, Steve R. - 5/8/2003 [NJ-9]
Rep Sanders, Bernard - 2/27/2003 [VT]
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. - 5/8/2003 [IL-9]
Rep Stark, Fortney Pete - 2/27/2003 [CA-13]
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. - 2/27/2003 [CA-6]

H.R. 5747 (107th - 2002)

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish labeling requirements regarding allergenic substances in food, and for other purposes.

Rep Brown, Sherrod - 11/14/2002 [OH-13]
Rep DeFazio, Peter A. - 11/14/2002 [OR-4]
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. - 11/14/2002 [CT-3]
Rep Frost, Martin - 11/14/2002 [TX-24]
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. - 11/14/2002 [NY-26]
Rep Holt, Rush D. - 11/14/2002 [NJ-12]
Rep Langevin, James R. - 11/14/2002 [RI-2]
Rep Lee, Barbara - 11/14/2002 [CA-9]
Rep Levin, Sander M. - 11/14/2002 [MI-12]
Rep Miller, George - 11/14/2002 [CA-7]
Rep Nadler, Jerrold - 11/14/2002 [NY-8]
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes - 11/14/2002 [DC]
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. - 11/14/2002 [NJ-6]
Rep Price, David E. - 11/14/2002 [NC-4]
Rep Rangel, Charles B. - 11/14/2002 [NY-15]
Rep Rivers, Lynn N. - 11/14/2002 [MI-13]
Rep Rothman, Steve R. - 11/14/2002 [NJ-9]
Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille - 11/14/2002 [CA-33]
Rep Smith, Adam - 11/14/2002 [WA-9]
Rep Waxman, Henry A. - 11/14/2002 [CA-29]

S.3001 (107th - 2002)

A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish labeling requirements regarding allergenic substances in food, and for other purposes.

Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham - 9/25/2002 [NY]
Sen Collins, Susan M. - 9/25/2002 [ME]
Sen Dodd, Christopher J. - 9/25/2002 [CT]
Sen Frist, Bill - 9/25/2002 [TN]
Sen Gregg, Judd - 9/25/2002 [NH]
Sen Jeffords, James M. - 9/25/2002 [VT]
Sen Roberts, Pat - 9/25/2002 [KS]
Sen Torricelli, Robert G. - 9/25/2002 [NJ]

S.2499 (107th - 2002)

A Bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish labeling requirements regarding allergenic substances in food, and for other purposes.

Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham - 5/9/2002 [NY]
Sen Torricelli, Robert G. - 9/25/2002 [NJ]

H.R. 4704 (107th - 2002)

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish labeling requirements regarding allergenic substances in food, and for other purposes.

Rep Brown, Sherrod - 7/8/2002 [OH-13]
Rep DeFazio, Peter A. - 7/8/2002 [OR-4]
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. - 5/23/2002 [CT-3]
Rep Frank, Barney - 5/9/2002 [MA-4]
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. - 6/4/2002 [NY-26]
Rep Hoeffel, Joseph M. - 10/9/2002 [PA-13]
Rep Holt, Rush D. - 6/18/2002 [NJ-12]
Rep Israel, Steve - 5/9/2002 [NY-2]
Rep Jones, Stephanie Tubbs - 5/9/2002 [OH-11]
Rep Kildee, Dale E. - 5/9/2002 [MI-9]
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. - 5/9/2002 [OH-10]
Rep Langevin, James R. - 9/17/2002 [RI-2]
Rep Lee, Barbara - 5/9/2002 [CA-9]
Rep Levin, Sander M. - 5/15/2002 [MI-12]
Rep McKinney, Cynthia A. - 5/9/2002 [GA-4]
Rep Mink, Patsy T. - 5/9/2002 [HI-2]
Rep Morella, Constance A. - 5/9/2002 [MD-8]
Rep Nadler, Jerrold - 5/9/2002 [NY-8]
Rep Neal, Richard E. - 10/8/2002 [MA-2]
Rep Owens, Major R. - 5/9/2002 [NY-11]
Rep Price, David E. - 7/26/2002 [NC-4]
Rep Rangel, Charles B. - 5/9/2002 [NY-15]
Rep Rivers, Lynn N. - 5/9/2002 [MI-13]
Rep Rothman, Steve R. - 11/13/2002 [NJ-9]
Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille - 5/23/2002 [CA-33]
Rep Smith, Adam - 7/23/2002 [WA-9]
Rep Tierney, John F. - 10/9/2002 [MA-6]
Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. - 5/9/2002 [NY-12]

H.R. 1947 (107th - 2001)

Rep Berkley, Shelley - 5/22/2001 [NV-1]
Rep Fattah, Chaka - 7/18/2001 [PA-2]

H.R. 1816 (107th - 2001)

Rep Bonior, David E. - 10/5/2001 [MI-10]
Rep Brown, Sherrod - 8/2/2001 [OH-13]
Rep Faleomavaega, Eni F. H. - 10/5/2001 [AS]
Rep Kildee, Dale E. - 8/2/2001 [MI-9]
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. - 12/13/2001 [OH-10]
Rep McGovern, James P. - 8/2/2001 [MA-3]
Rep McKinney, Cynthia A. - 8/2/2001 [GA-4]
Rep Mink, Patsy T. - 8/2/2001 [HI-2]
Rep Rivers, Lynn N. - 8/2/2001 [MI-13]

H.R. 1682 (107th - 2001)

Rep Baldwin, Tammy - 5/23/2002 [WI-2]
Rep Bonior, David E. - 6/26/2001 [MI-10]
Rep Capuano, Michael E. - 10/2/2001 [MA-8]
Rep Engel, Eliot L. - 6/26/2001 [NY-17]
Rep Frost, Martin - 6/14/2001 [TX-24]
Rep Gonzalez, Charles A. - 6/21/2001 [TX-20]
Rep Green, Gene - 6/21/2001 [TX-29]
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. - 6/26/2001 [IL-4]
Rep Hilliard, Earl F. - 6/21/2001 [AL-7]
Rep Kildee, Dale E. - 7/19/2001 [MI-9]
Rep King, Peter T. - 6/14/2001 [NY-3]
Rep Lee, Barbara - 10/12/2001 [CA-9]
Rep Lofgren, Zoe - 6/26/2001 [CA-16]
Rep McCarthy, Carolyn - 6/14/2001 [NY-4]
Rep McGovern, James P. - 6/21/2001 [MA-3]
Rep Nadler, Jerrold - 7/24/2001 [NY-8]
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes - 6/26/2001 [DC]
Rep Owens, Major R. - 6/14/2001 [NY-11]
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. - 6/14/2001 [NJ-6]
Rep Payne, Donald M. - 7/11/2001 [NJ-10]
Rep Pelosi, Nancy - 7/19/2001 [CA-8]
Rep Rangel, Charles B. - 6/26/2001 [NY-15]
Rep Reyes, Silvestre - 6/21/2001 [TX-16]
Rep Rush, Bobby L. - 8/1/2001 [IL-1]
Rep Smith, Christopher H. - 7/11/2001 [NJ-4]
Rep Towns, Edolphus - 5/2/2002 [NY-10]

H.R. 1356 (107th - 2001)

Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. - 4/18/2002 [CT-3]
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. - 7/11/2001 [OH-10]
Rep Lee, Barbara - 7/11/2001 [CA-9]
Rep Smith, Adam - 11/1/2001 [WA-9]

H.R. 1144 (107th - 2001)

Rep Lantos, Tom - 5/21/2002 [CA-12]
Rep McKinney, Cynthia A. - 7/22/2002 [GA-4]
Rep Owens, Major R. - 1/24/2002 [NY-11]
Rep Rush, Bobby L. - 4/3/2001 [IL-1]
Rep Towns, Edolphus - 5/9/2002 [NY-10]

H.R. 5532 (106th - 2000)

None

H.R. 5238 (106th - 2000)

Rep Berkley, Shelley - 10/5/2000 [NV-1]

H.RES. 309 (106th - 1999)

Rep Carson, Julia - 10/24/2000 [IN-10]
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. - 11/9/1999 [OH-10]
Rep Lowey, Nita M. - 9/18/2000 [NY-18]
Rep Owens, Major R. - 11/9/1999 [NY-11]
Rep Payne, Donald M. - 11/9/1999 [NJ-10]
Rep Porter, John Edward - 9/27/2000 [IL-10]
Rep Smith, Christopher H. - 11/9/1999 [NJ-4]
Rep Thompson, Bennie G. - 11/18/1999 [MS-2]

H.R. 1965 (106th - 1999)

Rep Barton, Joe - 5/26/1999 [TX-6]
Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. - 8/5/1999 [RI-1]
Rep Millender-McDonald, Juanita - 8/5/1999 [CA-37]
Rep Pelosi, Nancy - 10/12/2000 [CA-8]

H.R. 1346 (106th - 1999)

Rep Bonior, David E. - 4/28/1999 [MI-10]
Rep Faleomavaega, Eni F. H. - 4/15/1999 [AS]
Rep Green, Gene - 4/15/1999 [TX-29]
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. - 4/15/1999 [NY-26]
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. - 4/28/1999 [OH-10]
Rep Meek, Carrie P. - 4/15/1999 [FL-17]
Rep Miller, George - 4/15/1999 [CA-7]
Rep Mink, Patsy T. - 11/2/1999 [HI-2]
Rep Rangel, Charles B. - 4/15/1999 [NY-15]
Rep Rothman, Steve R. - 4/15/1999 [NJ-9]
Rep Roukema, Marge - 4/28/1999 [NJ-5]
Rep Underwood, Robert A. - 4/15/1999 [GU]
Rep Wynn, Albert Russell - 4/15/1999 [MD-4]

Selected State Legislative Efforts

Massachusetts State Senate Bill No. 153, introduced in 2005 by Cynthia S. Creem, Susan C. Fargo and Alice Peisch is legislation to require food service establishments in Massachusetts to train staff in food allergy awareness and procedures, list allergen ingredients in menu items, and more. For more information, refer to the status page.
If you don't know who your Massachusetts State Senator is, you can use one of these links to find out:
- http://www.mass.gov/map_legisdistrict/pages/main.jsp
- http://www.wheredoivotema.com/electedofficials.php

There are also lists containing the names of all the representatives and senators and listings by the city or town they represent.

Links to more information

Comments and Feedback are Welcome!

This site is maintained by a POFAK ("parent of a food allergic kid"), and I welcome comments, suggestions, and anything else that might be of value to others struggling with food allergies, asthma and related issues.

I am interested in any information that might assist people who want to take a more active role in encouraging legislative support from federal, state and local government. I am also interested in knowing of other allergy-related web sites and discussion forums.

And of course, I'd appreciate any positive or negative comments you have about the site and how it could be more helpful or useful to you. Thanks!

You can contact me in one of three ways:

Send me mail at <allergies@shamrockbay.com>.
Submit feedback using this anonymous form.
Sign the guestbook. (Other visitors can read your comments)

Recent changes

07/20/2004   The FALCPA passed!
06/18/2004   A new co-sponsor, and word about committee passage
06/13/2004   Four new co-sponsors for H.R. 3684.
05/18/2004   Two new co-sponsors for H.R. 3684.
05/05/2004   Four new co-sponsors for H.R.3684.
04/21/2004   Five new co-sponsors for H.R.3684.
04/18/2004   FALCPA site is one year old!
04/05/2004   Added RSS feed for legislative news.
04/02/2004   Two new sponsors for H.R.3684.
03/25/2004   Three new sponsors for H.R.3684; new links.
03/10/2004   Two new sponsors for H.R.3684.
03/08/2004   S.741 PASSED!
03/05/2004   Updated the help page.
02/25/2004   New sponsors!
02/20/2004   News; Change in status on S.741
02/12/2004   New sponsor
02/07/2004   News: New sponsors added.
12/15/2003   Added H.R. 3684.
11/29/2003   Added 'help' page with information about contacting representatives.
11/25/2003   New bill, S.741 listed, news about S.741
09/05/2003   Added historical references to H.R. 1346 (106th Congress) and H.R. 1816 (107th Congress).
08/26/2003   Removed H.R. 2699.
08/23/2003   Added H.R. 2699 and H.R. 1495.
07/01/2003   Added guestbook for feedback and comments.
05/21/2003   News on several new bills; new anonymous feedback form; two new links.
05/14/2003   H.R. 2023 added.
05/08/2003   Three more Reps. co-sponsor H.R. 467! Added more to "help" section.
05/01/2003   Added info on H.R. 1149
05/01/2003   Added info on Massachusetts State Senate Bill No. 513
04/23/2003   Added link to article on problems interpreting food labels
04/20/2003   Added link to H.R. 467 progress page
04/18/2003   Added link to PeanutAllergy.com

http://www.ShamrockBay.com/FA/FoodAllergenProtection.shtml
<allergies@shamrockbay.com>
Updated: 07/20/2004
Visited: times since 4/18/03

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