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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS WEEK PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, as many as 15 million Americans have food allergies; nearly 6 million are children under the age of 18; and
WHEREAS, research shows that the prevalence of food allergy is increasing among children; and
WHEREAS, eight foods cause the majority 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, respiratory distress, swelling of the throat and other serious conditions; and
WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergy results in more than 200,000 ambulatory care visits a year involving children under the age of 18 with reactions typically occurring when an individual unknowingly eats a food containing an ingredient to which they are allergic; 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; and
WHEREAS, anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death; and
WHEREAS, Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and the health of individuals with food allergies, and to provide them hope through the promise of new treatments; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board President and Board of Commissioners do hereby recognize May 8 to 14, 2016 as Food Allergy Awareness Week and encourage its residents to increase their understanding and awareness of food allergies and anaphylaxis by visiting www.FoodAllergyWeek.org.
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