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Public Policy Achievements

FAI's advocacy efforts focus on two overarching goals:

• To increase federal funding of food allergy research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other key agencies;
• To ensure that food service establishments, manufacturers, schools, camps, and health care providers create a safe environment for people with food allergies.

Notable successes include:

NATIONAL

FAI played a central role in the effort to pass the 2004 Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA).  This life-saving law requires that food labels list, in plain language, whether any of the eight major food allergens (peanut, tree nuts, egg, milk, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat) are contained in a product.  Since 2006, when the law went into effect, FAI has conducted extensive surveys to monitor manufacturers' compliance and address the important issue of cross contamination. Learn more.

LOCAL

• Schools: FAI led the effort to pass landmark laws that require schools in New York and New Jersey to develop and implement standardized food allergy management guidelines.
• Emergency Services: In New York City, FAI played a crucial role in the decision of the FDNY and the Regional Emergency Services Medical Council to mandate that all basic life-support (BLS) ambulances carry epinephrine auto-injectors. Learn more.
• Restaurants and food service establishments: FAI worked with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to create an educational poster aimed at raising food allergy awareness among restaurant workers. Restaurants throughout the city are now required by law to display the poster, thanks in large part to a push by FAI to pass the necessary legislation. Learn more.