Food Allergy Awareness Week 2022

Food Allergy Awareness Week 2022 is upon us! From May 8th to May 14th, we’re here to celebrate the millions across the world who live with Food Allergies. The Southern California Food Allergy Institute has put together: fun food allergy facts, ways to share awareness, recipes, and activities to empower kids in owning their food allergies. Read along to learn about the ways in which you and your family can celebrate Food Allergy Awareness Week with us!

Food Allergy Awareness Week (FAAW) takes place during the second week of May. During this time we raise awareness around the 32 million Americans living with food allergies. Over 6 million children under the age of 18 are amongst the 32 million Americans at risk of life threatening food anaphylaxis. Food Allergy Awareness Week is meant to shine a light on those who feel isolated due to battling food allergies and to advocate #FoodFreedom across their treatment journey!

Food Allergy Awareness Week is an initiative created by FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) to raise awareness and education regarding the seriousness of food allergies.

This week calls upon those with food allergies as a moment to embrace their bravery, while furthering educational awareness through solidarity!

This year for Food Allergy Awareness Week, TPIRC & SCFAI are calling on the support of our community to raise awareness for all those living with food allergies!

• Through the use of peer-to-peer fundraising on JustGiving, we want the greater food allergy community to come together and fundraise on behalf of those striving to achieve #FoodFreedom. Together we can make a difference and put an end to Food-induced anaphylaxis! Read below on how to get started with your own JustGiving account.
• Create and host your very own fundraiser to get your family and friends involved! We’ve included some ideas below.
• Bake teal colored cupcakes and share your creation with us on Instagram @SoCalFoodAllergy. Here’s a recipe for The Fit Cookie’s delicious, allergen-free, cupcakes. Add in some teal food coloring and frosting to stay in the food allergy awareness spirit!
• Become a TIP volunteer! Learn more.
• Want to be featured on our Instagram? Share your story with us! Enter your story here.
• Wear teal all week long! Snap photos and share them with us so we can repost them on our social media channels!

Fundraising Ideas!

For more information on how to give, please contact us at [email protected].

Here are some historic events that have recently taken place within the Food Allergy Community in the last year.

• The FDA Released the FASTER Act
  • “This draft guidance is part of the FDA’s efforts to evaluate emerging evidence about other non-listed food allergens that can cause serious reactions in a consistent and transparent manner, which can inform potential future actions to better help protect the health of consumers.” Susan Mayne, Ph.D., Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
  • Beginning in January 2023, sesame will be recognized as the 9th major food allergen alongside milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. Click here to read the FDA’s press release.
• Elijah’s Law
  • On August 20, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker signed Elijah’s Law, The Childhood Anaphylactic Policy Act (HB0102) into law for Illinois. A milestone for food allergy awareness. Read more about Elijah here.
  • On April 11th, 2022, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed Elijah’s Law making Virginia the third state saving children’s lives by providing strict policies to repurpose food allergy training and guidelines to be established.
  • Elijah’s Law has been enacted in NYC and Illinois. For more information on their current work and mission, visit The Elijah-Alavi Foundation.

Teal is the official color for food allergy awareness! It has been used to draw solidarity, while raising awareness around food-related medical conditions for over 20 years! Teal has gathered the food allergy community together and has opened doors to special, community led movements. The most popular of which, FARE’s, “Teal Pumpkin Project”, which lets those who participate in Halloween festivities to place a teal pumpkin on their porches to indicate that they can provide a non-food treat to trick-or-treaters whom endure Food Allergies.

You don’t need to have food allergies or know someone who does, in order to join and support the food allergy community. By sporting the color teal, you too can represent Food Allergy Awareness! Tag us on Instagram @SoCalFoodAllergy as you wear your favorite teal clothing during Food Allergy Awareness Week.

Color Our Gummy Bear!

Showcase your coloring skills by downloading and printing this coloring page and tag us on social media @SoCalFoodAllergy. We love to see everyone’s involvement with #FAAW2022!

Educational Books:

Check out these resources if you’re looking for books to educate your child or online games! We are not affiliated with or own any of these resources.

• “Allergic Like Me” by Michelle Meyer-Devlin
• “DJ’s Allergies,” by Jennifer Ormond
• “Can I Have Some Cake Too?” by Melanie Nazareth
• “Taking Food Allergies to School” by Ellen Weiner

Learn About Food Allergies with these Online Games:

• Any of FARE’s free online allergy games
• AAAAI’s Camping Safe with Allergies and Asthma
• Food Allergy Canada’s Allergy Awareness Challenge