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.