Burlington County recognizes Food Allergy Awareness Week

The Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders is recognizing the importance of Food Allergy Awareness Week from May 12 through May 18.

Food Allergy Awareness Week was established in 1998 by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network to educate others about the potentially life-threatening consequences of food allergies.

“Our Health Department is raising awareness of food allergies as a serious and growing public health issue. It is our Health Department’s objective to help educate schools, restaurants and our community about the severity of food allergies and anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction,” said Freeholder Director Joe Donnelly.

Food allergies affect as many as 15 million Americans, including one in every 13 children, or roughly two students in every classroom.

An allergic reaction to food sends someone in the United States to the emergency room every three minutes. To date, there is no cure for a food allergy.

For those individuals with food allergies, severe allergic reactions can occur quickly and without warning. Some can be life-threatening for people of all ages, particularly children.

For more information on food allergies, please visit http://www.foodallergy.org/