Support the FASTER Act!
The Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education & Research (FASTER) Act H.R.1202 aims to improve the health and safety of Americans living with food allergies and related conditions, such as potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis, and support research exploring new treatments. It would classify sesame as a major allergen and make it the ninth allergen that the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requires plain-language labeling for. Over 1.5 million people in the United States are allergic to sesame, yet it is not currently required on food labels. This simple addition to product labels could save thousands if not millions of lives.
Further, 32 million people suffer from food allergies. However, only one FDA-approved treatment exists, and it is solely for those with a peanut allergy. The federal government spends just 19 cents per affected person on this life-saving research. The FASTER Act would require the federal government to analyze and support promising research into new treatments and eventually a cure for food allergies. This bill is a vital next step in the effort to cure food allergies and to protect over one million people living with sesame allergies.
On February 23, the House of Representatives re-introduced the FASTER Act (H.R. 1202) for 2021. In 2020, the bill made significant and noteworthy progress. In the last Congress, we had over 90 bi-partisan co-sponsors on the bill because of the strength of your support. This Congress we will need your support more than ever to get this bill passed.
The FASTER Act passed the House of Representatives on November 17 and the Senate on December 9 with more than 90 bi-partisan co-sponsors. However, because of a few minor changes, it went back to the House for a final vote and was re-introduced this year. If it passes the House this week, it will go directly to the President to sign into law. Let’s keep up the momentum for the millions of us living with food allergies!
