Durbin's Protecting Children With Food Allergies Bill Adopted As Amendment In Senate Agriculture Committee

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin’s (D-IL) bipartisan legislation, theProtecting Children with Food Allergies Act, was adopted unanimously as an amendment to theWhole Milk for Healthy Kids Actby the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.  Durbin’s amendment would ensure school food service staff receive essential training about food allergies, so that they are better equipped to prevent, recognize, and respond to food allergic reactions, which can save lives.
“When parents drop their kids off at school, they should have peace of mind knowing that their children are safewith personnel who are trained to look out for their children’s food allergies,”said Durbin.“Peanuts, eggs, soy, and milk are nutritious, and may be in school lunches or brought by classmates.  But for some kids, they are allergens that can be deadly.  Today, the Senate Agriculture Committee adopted my bipartisanProtecting Children with Food Allergies Actas an amendment to a larger bill, ensuring that kids will be safe in the event of an allergic reaction.”
Food allergies are a growing public health concern.  Over the past two decades, the number of children with food allergies in the U.S. has more than doubled.  Approximately six million children are estimated to have food allergies, about two students per classroom.  Further, 20 percent of all epinephrine shots administered in schools are given to children who have undiagnosed food allergies—which makes it even more important for school food personnel to understand how to recognize and respond to an allergic reaction.
USDA requires annual trainings to school food personnel who work under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP).  Required trainings include modules in nutrition, health, and food safety standards.  USDA also makes available trainings that address food allergies, but those are not required as part of these annual trainings.  TheProtecting Children with Food Allergies Actwould add “food allergies” to the existing list of trainings to ensure that school food personnel receive essential information about food allergies.
TheProtecting Children with Food Allergies Acthas endorsements from: Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE),Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA),American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI),American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP),American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI),and School Nutrition Association (SNA).
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