The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and the Elijah-Alavi Foundation (EAF) worked together in 2022 to release the “Child Care Policies for Food Allergy: Elijah’s Law Report for the U.S. States and Territories.” Kids with Food Allergies (KFA) is the food allergy division of AAFA.

Our report looks at state and U.S. territory child care licensing regulations against 9 policy standards. The standards aim to protect children with food allergies in child care settings. The report also includes an advocacy toolkit to help you advocate for Elijah’s Law in your home state.

So far, Elijah’s Law has passed in 3 states: New York, Illinois, and Virginia. It has also been introduced in 6 states this year: California, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, and Pennsylvania.

If you live in one of those 6 states, you can use our simple tool to contact your state legislators and ask for their support of Elijah’s Law by clicking on your state below. In Maryland, Elijah’s Law has passed the House and the Senate, so your request will go to Governor Moore asking him to sign the bill into law.

CALIFORNIA

KANSAS

MARYLAND

MICHIGAN

MISSOURI

PENNSYLVANIA

Don’t worry if you don’t live in one of those 6 states. You can still take action! We encourage you to use our toolkit to advocate for Elijah’s Law in your state. The advocacy toolkit includes:

• Tips on how to find and communicate with your state and federal lawmakers
• A sample letter you can send to your state law makers in support of Elijah’s Law
• Elijah’s Law fact sheet
• Sample social media posts to help amplify your advocacy
• Sample bill language for Elijah’s Law

Together we can make sure that children with food allergies in all states have safe environments to learn and grow.

Roly Poly Bakery Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg Ingredient in Multigrain Bread

For Immediate Release

April 12, 2024

Contact Information

1-860-229-5109

Company Announcement

Roly Poly Bakery of New Britain, CT is recalling its 20 ounce loafs of Roly Poly multigrain bread because the product contains undeclared egg product. People who have allergies to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The recalled Roly Poly Multigrain Bread was sold at Roly Poly Bakery, at Polmart, CT, New Britain Market Place, CT , Bernat’s Deli, MA and Golemo’s Market, MA.

The product comes in 20-ounce clear plastic bag marked with product information on top and bar-coded part number 5005-8723 on the bottom and was purchased prior to 04/11/2024.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this product.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered during an audit that a production employee used an egg wash instead of water to apply sunflower or oat ingredients on external product’s surface.

Production of the product has been suspended until CT Consumer Protection and the company are certain that the problem has been corrected.

Consumers who have purchased 20 ounce loafs of Roly Poly multigrain bread are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-860-229-5109 between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm.

Gracie’s Kitchen Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame and Wheat Allergens in “Broccoli Cutlets”

For Immediate Release

April 12, 2024

Contact Information

203-773-0795
info@gracieskitchens.com

Company Announcement

Gracie’s Kitchens of New Haven, CT, is recalling its 20-ounce packages of "King Kullen Broccoli Cutlets with Bread Crumbs and Parmesan" because they may contain undeclared sesame and wheat. People who have allergies to sesame and wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The recalled "Broccoli Cutlets" were distributed only to King Kullen Grocery Stores located in Long Island, NY: Specific store locations include: Manhasset, Center Moriches, Bay Shore, Bridgehampton, Shirley, Garden City Park, Eastport, St. James, NY.

The product comes in a 20-ounce, oven safe tin package with a clear dome top marked with a UPC Code of” 0 8531610145 0” and with effected Sell By dates of: 4/14/24 – 4/21/24 on the top panel No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that a product containing sesame and wheat didn’t include the full ingredient breakdown on the ingredient panel.

Consumers who have purchased 20-ounce packages of "King Kullen Broccoli Cutlets with Bread Crumbs and Parmesan " are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 203-773-0795 Mon – Fri (9am-3pm EST) or info@gracieskitchens.com.

211 Food Terminal Plaza New Haven, CT 06511 203-73-0795
211 Food Terminal Plaza New Haven, CT 06511 203-773-0795

Welcome to our April research update! Getting involved with research is an important way to impact food allergy treatments, education, and awareness.

This month, we are highlighting research opportunities and news on:

• Early introduction of peanut
• Oral immunotherapy (OIT) for food allergy
• Clinical trial for children with peanut allergy
• Epinephrine nasal spray
• Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)
• Clinical trial for teens and adults with eosinophilic gastritis (EoG) with or without eosinophilic duodenitis (EoD)

Interviews and Focus Groups

Participants Needed for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) Focus Groups

AAFA, in partnership with PlatformQ Patient Education (PPE), is looking for people who manage eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) to take part in a focus group. The focus group will give you a chance to share your firsthand experiences and needs while managing EoE. Information learned from this focus group will help AAFA and PPE improve our education.

The time commitment will be about 2 hours. If selected for the focus group, you will be compensated for your time. If you would like to participate in the focus group, please take this quick survey to see if you qualify.

LEARN MORE

Medical Review: April 2024 by John James, MD

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared a week in May to be National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Week at the request of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). Kids with Food Allergies (KFA) is the food allergy division of AAFA.

Since then, we have expanded our annual awareness campaign to a full month. May is a perfect time to educate patients, family, friends, co-workers, and other people about asthma and allergic diseases that impact more than 100 million people in America.

Each year, AAFA continues to spread awareness in May during National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Recently, AAFA sent a letter to President Biden asking him to declare May to be National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month (see letter below). The letter highlights the importance of promoting awareness, education, and understanding of these diseases.

You can join our efforts to improve asthma and allergy awareness and health care in three ways.

• Use our simple tool below to send a tweet to President Biden and join AAFA in requesting this important declaration.
• Use the White House contact form to email President Biden using this link: whitehouse.gov/contact
• Call the White House at 202-456-6213.

Let’s make the 40^th anniversary of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month count!

President Joseph R. Biden

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500

April 4, 2024

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), the leading patient organization advocating for people with asthma and allergies and the oldest asthma and allergy patient group in the world, I am writing to request that you issue a proclamation declaring May as “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.” I believe this declaration will support the leadership you’ve already demonstrated, and AAFA has supported, in addressing health equity, climate change, access to health care, and lowering the cost of inhalers.

I was honored to attend your event on April 3 on lowering health care costs where you recognized that in the United States, asthma presents significant burdens for over 27 million adults and children, as well as their families and caregivers. Annually, asthma costs our society an estimated $82 billion in direct and indirect expenses, including medical costs related to 4.9 million office visits, 1.5 million emergency visits, and 169,330 hospitalizations. It is estimated that from 2019 to 2038, the total cost of uncontrolled asthma could exceed $963 billion in direct and indirect costs. Asthma is also the leading chronic disease among children and a top reason for missed school days.

Racial and ethnic disparities in the burden of asthma have long been established and supported by a large body of evidence. Black people in the U.S. have the highest rates of asthma. Black people are nearly three times more likely to die from asthma than White Americans. Black patients are also nearly 6 times more likely to be treated for asthma in hospital emergency rooms compared to White patients. These disparities are largely driven by interrelated and multidimensional social and structural determinants. Long-term systemic racism and discriminatory policies in housing, education, labor, health care, and the environment have created disadvantages for minority populations and exacerbated racial disparities in health.

Food allergies represent another significant burden on over 20 million people in America. Approximately 1 in 16 children and adults in the U.S have food allergies.^1,2 Food allergies can result in a severe reaction caused anaphylaxis that in rare cases can lead to death. Unfortunately, the prevalence and impact of food allergies in the U.S. are increasing; for example, the rate of emergency room visits for food-related anaphylaxis increased by 124% from 2005 through 2014.³ Children with food allergies are also two to four times more likely to have asthma or other allergic diseases.⁴

Raising awareness and educating people on how to manage asthma and allergies is key to beginning to address these longstanding disparities and the burden of disease. National Asthma and Allergy Awareness week was first recognized in 1984 by President Reagan at AAFA’s request. We ask that you continue to recognize the importance of raising awareness for the millions of Americans and their families living with asthma and allergies and have included a draft proclamation for you use to this letter. Thank you for your consideration and leadership.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Mendez

President and CEO

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

Download AAFA’s letter to President Biden asking him to declare May to be National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.

References
1. Ng, A.E. & Boersma, P. (2023). NCHS Data Brief, no 460: Diagnosed allergic conditions in adults: United States, 2021. National Center for Health Statistics. https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:122809
2. Zablotsky, B., Black, L.I., & Akinbami, L.J.(2023). NCHS Data Brief, no 459: Diagnosed allergic conditions in children aged 0-17 years: United States, 2021. National Center for Health Statistics. https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:123250
3. Motosue et al., “Increasing Emergency Department Visits for Anaphylaxis, 2005-2014.” J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2017 Jan - Feb;5(1):171-175.
4. Branum, A., & Lukacs, S. (2019). Food Allergy Among U.S. Children: Trends in Prevalence and Hospitalizations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db10.htm

Baron Spices, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy and Wheat in Blues Hog Sweet & Savory Seasoning

For Immediate Release

April 09, 2024

Contact Information

Baron Spices, Inc.
1-800-622-2190

Company Announcement

Baron Spices, Inc. of St. Louis, MO is recalling 708 units of Blues Hog Sweet and Savory Seasoning, because it may contain undeclared Soy and Wheat allergen. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to Soy and Wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Blues Hog Sweet and Savory was distributed to MD, VA, DC, and DE through Giant Food Stores.

Product is in 6.25 oz plastic bottles with the label Blues Hog Sweet and Savory Seasoning with a lot number of 034-363 and 034-364.

No illnesses have been confirmed to date.

A supplier to Baron Spices, Inc sent a replacement ingredient and did not disclose that it included allergens. The replacement ingredient contained soy and wheat whereas the original product did not contain either allergen.

Consumers who have purchased Blues Hog Sweet and Savory Seasoning should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of the product.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-622-2190.

Belgian Yummies Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Allergens of Wheat, Soy, Egg, Coconut and/or Peanuts and FD&C Yellow #5 in Ice Cream Sandwiches and Gelato

For Immediate Release

April 09, 2024

Contact Information

1-239-202-8146
belgianyummies@gmail.com

Company Announcement

Belgian Yummies of Fort Myers, FL, is alerting the public that its 4-ounce packages of Ice Cream Sandwiches and 5-liter containers and 4.75-liter pans of Gelato contains undeclared allergens.

• Belgian Yummies Sandwiches, flavors of Vanilla, Chocolate, Raspberry, Salted Caramel, Key Lime, and Peanut Butter, contain undeclared wheat, soy, egg, coconut, and/or peanuts.
• Sofra Sandwiches, flavors of Vanilla and Chocolate, contain undeclared wheat, soy, egg, and coconut.
• Ria Sandwiches, flavors of Vanilla, contain undeclared wheat, soy, egg, and coconut.
• Belgian Yummies Gelato, Strawberry flavor, contains undeclared FD&C Yellow #5
• Belgian Yummies Gelato, Birthday Cake flavor, contains undeclared wheat and FD&C Yellow #5
• Belgian Yummies Gelato, Horchata flavor, contains undeclared wheat.

People who have allergies to wheat, soy, egg, coconut, and/or peanuts or have a sensitivity to FD&C Yellow #5 run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The recalled Ice Cream Sandwiches and Gelato were distributed in Florida through wholesale orders. None of the products were available for retail sale.

The sandwiches come in a 4-ounce, clear plastic or gold package marked with an expiration date of 08/31/2024 stamped on the back. The Strawberry and Birthday Cake gelato comes in a 5-Liter gray container and the Horchata gelato comes in a 4.75-Liter gray pan marked with an expiration date of 08/31/2024.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The recall was initiated after Belgian Yummies and the Florida Department of Agriculture discovered during an inspection that the product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat, soy, egg, coconut and/or peanuts and FD&C Yellow #5. The problem was caused by outdated labels being used during the packaging process.

Labels were immediately corrected, and ingredient lists were provided to all wholesale customers who received the affected products.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-239-202-8146, Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 5:00pm EST or by email to belgianyummies@gmail.com.

Oregon Spice Company Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame in Johnny’s Parmesan Garlic Seasoning

For Immediate Release

April 10, 2024

Contact Information

503.238.0664
customerservice@oregonspice.com

Company Announcement

April 10, 2024, Oregon Spice Company, Portland, OR is recalling Johnny’s Parmesan Garlic Seasoning 5oz because it may contain undeclared sesame. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sesame run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The product was distributed in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and Alaska to Fred Meyer, QFC, Albertson’s and Safeway stores, as well as Amazon.com and online orders placed through https://link.edgepilot.com/s/6...nefoods.com/External Link Disclaimer.

The product is in a plastic spice bottle with a green cap and is labeled as Johnny’s Parmesan Garlic 5 oz., ink jet on bottom of bottle BB 04MAR26 0644 19:48 to 21:41

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered by a Distributor that product containing sesame was labeled in packaging that did not reveal the presence of sesame.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Customers with a sesame allergy or sensitivity who have purchased the affected product should not consume the product and dispose of it or return it to their place of purchase for a full refund.

Media contact: David Estes 503.238.0664

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 503.238.0664 customerservice@oregonspice.com from 8am-4:30pm PST, Monday-Friday.

Home Style Foods, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in Kowalski Simply Sides – Jack’s Potato Salad

For Immediate Release

April 10, 2024

Contact Information

Home Style Foods Inc.
(313) 874-3250

Company Announcement

Home Style Foods, Inc., of Hamtramck, MI, is voluntarily recalling 43 cases of “Kowalski Simply Sides - Jack’s Potato Salad” due to an incorrect label resulting in an undeclared egg allergen. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The recalled Kowalski Simply Sides - Jack’s Potato Salad were distributed in Michigan to 25 stores including 21 Kroger locations, Diamond Dot Market, Holiday Market Royal Oak, Larry’s Foodland, and Tenuta’s Market.

The recalled product is labeled on the top and front as Kowalski Simply Sides - Jack’s Potato Salad and has sell by date of 04/29/2024. The back label containing the Nutrition Facts and Ingredients is incorrectly labeled as “Very Berry Strawberry”, in a 16oz round plastic deli cup.

• Kowalski Simply Sides
  • Jack’s Potato Salad
  • Sell By: 04/29/2024
  • 16 oz Deli Cup
  • UPC: 754721282701

Home Style Foods, Inc. has had no reported illnesses to date related to Kowalski Simply Sides - Jack’s Potato Salad.

During the filling of the cups the incorrect label was applied to the back of the product. During routine documentation review the error was discovered by Quality Assurance.

Consumers may return it to their point of purchase for a full refund. Customers with questions may contact Home Style Foods Inc. at (313) 874-3250.

The voluntary recall is being conducted and coordinated with the Food and Drug Administration.

In a rare occurrence, a trillion cicadas from two different broods are expected to begin appearing in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States at the end of April. These are a type of insect that live underground and then emerge from the soil every 17 years to mate. And there’s a lot of them.

Kids may be fascinated with the cicadas – playing with them, watching them, or closely looking at their shells. But the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has an important message: If your child has a shellfish allergy, make sure they don’t eat cicadas (as tempting as that might be for some). The warning goes for adults too.

If your child has a shellfish allergy teach them not to put cicadas or other insects in their mouth or eat them. Here’s why:

Yep! We have to say it!

Don't eat #cicadas if you're allergic to seafood as these insects share a family relation to shrimp and lobsters. https://t.co/UBg7CwrObN pic.twitter.com/3qn7czNg53

— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) June 2, 2021

David Stukus, MD and member of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s (AAFA) Medical Scientific Council, explains:  

Here’s the deal:
🍤People with shrimp, crab & lobster allergy reaction to a muscle protein called tropomyosin
🦞They do not react to the shell
🪰Cicadas also have tropomyosin

⚠️If you have a shellfish allergy, it’s not advisable to eat cicadas.
Casual exposure poses no risk.👍 https://t.co/9HfJAklWum

— Dr. Dave Stukus (@AllergyKidsDoc) June 2, 2021

Dr. Stukus explains people with a shellfish allergy usually react to a muscle protein called tropomyosin. A lot of insects have the same muscle protein.

“If you have a shellfish allergy, it is probably not a good idea to eat cicadas or other insects without at least first discussing it with your allergist,” says Stukus.

Study is limited on this. But in her research, Mahboobeh Mahdavinia, MD and PhD at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, says studies show cockroach exposure could lead to the development of shellfish allergy in kids.

“The immune system can confuse certain proteins in seafood with similar proteins that are present in the muscles of cockroaches that commonly elicit an allergic response," says Dr. Mahdavinia. She also notes dust mites and cockroaches are two common household allergens that have tropomyosin. There could be a link between inhaling the protein and shellfish allergy.

Dr. Mahdavinia’s research also shows Black children have higher rates of shellfish allergy compared to white children. This could be due to social determinants of health, including structural racism.

Don’t let general seafood warnings related to cicadas confuse you.

When the FDA put out its cicada warning, they directed it toward anyone with seafood allergies. But it really should have been directed at anyone with a shellfish allergy.

“People who have allergies to finned fish like salmon or tuna tend to react to other proteins which don’t necessarily cross react,” explains Dr. Stukus. “If you have a seafood allergy, you don’t always necessarily have to always avoid crustaceans and finned fish.”

But there is good news for kids with a shellfish allergy who still want to check out cicadas up close.

There’s no muscle protein in the cicada’s shell. The only time cicadas pose a risk for people with a shellfish allergy is if you eat them. It’s OK for kids to keep observing the big bugs so long as they don’t consume them.

“Cicadas are not going to bother anybody with shellfish allergy unless they actively go out of their way to capture them and then ingest them,” Dr. Stukus shares. “That’s the risk for reaction. You can have millions of them on your trees and in your yard − you are going to be fine. The shells they leave behind will not cause any risk for people who want to collect the shells.”

Kids With Food Allergies is the food allergy division of AAFA.

Abdallah Candies Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almond in Abdallahs 8 oz. Sea Salt Almond Alligators

For Immediate Release

April 02, 2024

Contact Information

Abdallah Candies
952-890-4770 or 800-348-7328

Company Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 2, 2024 – Abdallah Candies of Apple Valley, MN is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of Abdallah Candies 8 oz. sea salt almond alligators. The products have a chocolate covered cherries label with code 0315 on the bottom of the box. The boxes do contain sea salt almond alligators but have an incorrect ingredient label.

Sea salt almond alligators contain almonds as an ingredient, which was not declared on the ingredient label. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The product was distributed nationwide and sold in specialty retail stores, grocery stores, and other retail outlets. The recalled products were distributed from 03/01/2024 to 03/29/2024. Retail products are packaged in candy boxes with a label on the bottom of the box containing nutrition and ingredient information. The code 0315 is found in a box at the bottom center of the ingredient label. The company has not been notified of any illness associated with this product.

Consumers who purchased the product/code cited above are advised not to eat any product and should destroy or return the product to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions should call Abdallah Candies with their concerns. Monday through Friday 8am to 4:30 pm central time at 952-890-4770 or 800-348-7328.

No other products from this company are affected.