Several activities around the world focused on the international Food Allergy Awareness Week in May this year. The US Senator for Connecticut Chris Dodd used the platform to convene a subcommittee hearing to examine the impact of food allergies on children and families. 

Senator Dodd has a personal motivation for his advocacy in this area; his six year old daughter Grace has a severe food allergy that has sent her into anaphylactic shock four times. He previously authored and introduced the US Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Act, a bill that addresses the critical need for uniform and consistent food allergy policies in schools from one state to another. As yet, the legislation has not addressed funding for the resource requirements of schools implementing these policies.

For more on the food allergy advocacy work of Senator Dodd, and to keep an eye on the progress of his latest subcommittee hearing into food allergies, visit http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/4422