WHEREAS, food allergies affect nearly 1 in 5 adults in the United States and almost 6 million children under the age of 18; and
WHEREAS, research shows that the prevalence of food allergy is increasing among children and adults; and
WHEREAS, nine foods cause the majority of all food allergy reactions in the U.S.: shellfish, fish, crustacean, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, and wheat; symptoms of a food allergy reaction can range from mild to severe, and can include hives, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress, and swelling of the throat; and
WHEREAS, anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death; and
WHEREAS, food allergies result in more than 200,000 emergency department visits each year; reactions typically occur when an individual unknowingly eats a food containing an ingredient to which they are allergic; and
WHEREAS, the number of food allergy reactions requiring emergency treatment has increased significantly over the past decade, with a 377 percent rise in anaphylactic food reactions between 2007 and 2016; and
WHEREAS, Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and the health of individuals with food allergies, and to providing them hope through the promise of new treatments;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 8 – 14, 2022, as “FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.