Bill Text: NJ AR37 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Declares May 6 - May 12, 2012 "Food Allergy Awareness Week."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-10 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee [AR37 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-AR37-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2012 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JON M. BRAMNICK
District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)
Assemblywoman NANCY F. MUNOZ
District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Declares May 6 - May 12, 2012 "Food Allergy Awareness Week."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Assembly Resolution declaring the week of May 6 through May 12, 2012 as "Food Allergy Awareness Week."
Whereas, The increasing prevalence of food allergies in the United States is alarming, with more than 12 million Americans having food allergies, including three million who are under 18 years of age; and
Whereas, A recent report by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the number of persons diagnosed with food allergies increased by nearly 18 percent over the last decade; and
Whereas, Recent research from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) indicates growing numbers of Americans have severe food allergies to nuts, dairy products, and an ever-increasing list of common foods and food products; and
Whereas, While persons with food allergies may experience a range of reactions after being exposed to certain foods, anaphylaxis, the most severe reaction, can be life-threatening; and
Whereas, Each year an estimated 15,000 to 30,000 episodes of food-induced anaphylaxis occur in the United States, and food allergies send approximately 125,000 persons to hospital emergency departments annually; and
Whereas, Currently, there is no way to prevent food allergies or to cure them once they develop; and unfortunately, the only protection is to aggressively avoid the allergenic food in order to prevent any severe reaction, which can be especially difficult for children who face stigma and daily anxiety about life-threatening allergies found in the simplest of foods; and
Whereas, Over the last six years, the research supported by NIAID has made significant strides to help improve the lives of persons with food allergies; and
Whereas, It is hoped that the momentum on addressing this very important health issue that afflicts millions of children and adults continues; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House declares the week of May 6 through May 12, 2012 as "Food Allergy Awareness Week" in the State of New Jersey to promote public awareness about the prevalence of food allergies in the United States, the severity of reactions that can occur if persons with food allergies are exposed to certain foods, the difficulty for children who face stigma and daily anxiety about their life-threatening allergies, and the research supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases which has made significant strides to help improve the lives of persons with food allergies.
2. The Governor is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe "Food Allergy Awareness Week" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. A duly authenticated copy of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
STATEMENT
This resolution declares the week of May 6 through May 12, 2012 as "Food Allergy Awareness Week" in the State of New Jersey to promote public awareness about the prevalence of food allergies in the United States, the severity of reactions that can occur if persons with food allergies are exposed to certain foods, the difficulty for children who face stigma and daily anxiety about their life-threatening allergies, and the research supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases which has made significant strides to help improve the lives of persons with food allergies.
