Bill Text: NY J00261 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 12-18, 2019, as Food Allergy Awareness Week in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-01-23 - ADOPTED [J00261 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J00261-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 261

BY: Senator RIVERA

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        May  12-18,  2019, as Food Allergy Awareness Week in
        the State of New York

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
official  weeks  that  are  set  aside  to increase awareness of serious
health issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 12-18,  2019,  as
Food  Allergy  Awareness  Week  in the State of New York, in conjunction
with the observance of National Food Allergy Awareness Week; and

  WHEREAS, Food allergies affect 4% of the  population  and  cause  an
estimated  50,000  to  125,000  emergency  room  visits each year in the
United States; and

  WHEREAS, Fifteen million Americans have food allergies, six  million
are children under the age of 18, and research shows that the prevalence
of food allergy is increasing among children; and

  WHEREAS,  Children with allergies are two to four times as likely to
have other allergic conditions, such as asthma or eczema;  approximately
30%  of children with food allergies are allergic to more than one food,
and 40% of children  with  food  allergies  have  experienced  a  severe
allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis; and

  WHEREAS,  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that
the prevalence of food  allergies  in  children  has  increased  by  50%
between 1997 and 2011; and

  WHEREAS,  Eight  major food allergens cause most of all food allergy
reactions in the United States: shellfish, fish, milk, eggs, tree  nuts,
peanuts,  soy,  and  wheat;  symptoms  of  a  food-allergic reaction can
include hives, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress, and swelling of
the throat; and

  WHEREAS, Reactions typically occur when  an  individual  unknowingly
eats a food containing an ingredient to which they are allergic; and

  WHEREAS,  Each  year,  200,000  people  in the United States require
emergency medical care for allergic reactions to food; and

  WHEREAS, While most food allergies arise in childhood, at least  15%
of  food  allergies  are  first diagnosed in adulthood; serious or fatal
reactions can happen at any time, however  teenagers  and  young  adults
with  food  allergies  are  at  the  highest  risk of fatal food-induced
anaphylaxis; and

  WHEREAS, There is no cure for food allergy, and  scientists  do  not
understand  why;  strict avoidance of the offending food is the only way

to prevent an  allergic  reaction;  once  a  serious  allergic  reaction
begins, the only effective treatment is epinephrine; and

  WHEREAS, Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in
onset and may cause death; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body, representing the people of the State
of  New  York,  supports the increase in public awareness regarding food
allergies and anaphylaxis; it is  important  to  help  educate  schools,
restaurants and all citizens of the State of New York of the serious and
potentially  life-threatening  nature of food allergies; now, therefore,
be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Andrew  M.  Cuomo to proclaim May 12-18, 2019, as
Food Allergy Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to  The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.