U.S. House of Representatives Passes Allergen Labeling Bill

Celiac.com 06/02/2002 Prepared by Laura Yick - There are currently two bills in congress regarding food labeling that affect people with celiac disease. Both HR 1356 and HR 4704 were introduced by Representative Nita M. Lowey (D-NY) in the House of Representatives. S 2499 is the same as HR 4704 and was introduced by Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) in the Senate. It appears that HR 1356 is somewhat conflicting with HR 4704 and is a weaker version with less detail. HR 4704/S 2499 bill looks to be more beneficial for us (we all know the frustrations of having to verify the gluten status of foods, even if they are labeled gluten-free!), as it contains a section that deals with cross-contamination (see p.9 lines 13-25, p.10, and p.11 lines 1-2). HR 4704/S 2499 is under the control of...

The House of Representatives has, once again, acknowledged celiac disease. It has passed the funding bill for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which includes the NIH. The report language detailed below was included in that legislation. This language serves as guidance from Congress to the NIH to focus on certain issues (in this case celiac disease). A special round of thanks is due Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) for her tireless efforts on behalf of the celiac community. Further thanks go out to Representative Ralph Regula (R-OH), Chairman, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education, for his leadership on this important bill.
We now wait to see what happens with the Senate version of the funding bill, and whether it is passed before the Congress...

Celiac.com 08/31/2006 - On July 27, 2006, Representative Nita Lowey (D - NY) introduced H.Con.Res. 457, which, if passed, would recognize the month of May as national “Celiac Awareness Month.” The bill also requests an increase in federal funding for celiac disease research. Rep. Lowey was the driving force in Congress in support of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act that passed in 1994, which requires food manufacturers to list the top eight allergens on their products’ ingredient labels.
Celiac.com supports Rep. Lowey in her efforts to raise celiac disease awareness, and asks you to get involved. Please contact your representatives in congress and ask them to support H.Con.Res. 457—to do so simply visit: Open Original Shared Link
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Celiac.com 08/31/2012 - Since August 4th, 2012, Canadian Food Allergen Labeling Regulations require all food products containing gluten, or any of ten other major allergens, to clearly state their presence on the label.
This change marks an important step in consumer safety that will benefit the estimated three million Canadians with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, as well as others with sensitivities to major food allergens.
For people with celiac disease, consuming gluten can cause anemia, nutritional deficiencies, a blistering skin rash, and an increased risk of other autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes. It can also lead to some cancers of the gut.
One major problem for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity is that, unless clearly stated on the label...