On this final Friday of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Kids With Food Allergies (KFA), our food allergy division, are holding a Remembrance Day in honor of family members and loved ones who’ve died from asthma or allergies. We also take time to remember others who have needlessly been lost to preventable deaths.

On average, more than 4,100 Americans die from asthma each year.¹ A few hundred more die each year because of severe allergic reactions, called anaphylaxis [anna-fih-LACK-sis].² Most of these deaths were preventable. We believe one life lost to asthma or allergies is one too many.

On this day, we reflect on our mission to save lives and reduce the burden of these diseases on individuals and families.

We dedicate today as a time to celebrate and honor lives lost and to continue to make a difference in memory of the people who live in our hearts forever.

Here are some we've lost to asthma and allergies and their advocates who are raising awareness in their honor. Our hearts are with them and everyone today who has lost loved ones from asthma and allergies.

Keisha Clay

Keisha was known for her shining spirit and her heart for service. She worked as an Executive Services Analyst, Congressional Liaison, and Business Coordinator for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). She also actively volunteered in her community and at her church from the time she was a teen. She died on June 19, 2019, from asthma – likely undiagnosed eosinophilic asthma. Her great uncle Reverend Marvin Bradley also died from asthma. Stories like Keisha’s are why AAFA is committing to reducing asthma disparities through our Health Equity Advancement and Leadership (HEAL) program.

Giovanni Cipriano

Gionanni was 14 when he had a fatal reaction to peanuts on Oct. 1, 2013. Since then, his mom, Georgina Cornago Cipriano has been working to raise food allergy awareness in his honor. She founded the Love for Giovanni Foundation and advocated for Gio’s Law, which authorizes certain New York emergency service providers to be trained to treat anaphylaxis and carry epinephrine in their vehicles.

Oakley Debbs

Around Thanksgiving in 2016, the Debbs family was on vacation with relatives in Maine. Oakley was enjoying a normal day of fun, like most kids. That night, he ate some cake that most likely contained nuts or nut flavoring. They gave him an antihistamine. A little while later, Oakley had an anaphylactic reaction. They were not aware he needed to be treated with epinephrine. A few days later, Oakley succumbed to the allergic reaction. He was 11 years old.

Oakley loved red sneakers. In his honor, the Debbs founded Red Sneakers for Oakley to educate and advocate for food allergy awareness.

Austin Dodds

At age 16, Austin loved to cook and learn new recipes with his father. He was a fan of comic books and his favorite football team was the Carolina Panthers. He also had asthma. One night in 2016, he had a serious asthma attack that left him unconscious. He died a few days later. Since then, his mother, Meredith Dodds, has made it her mission to educate other people about asthma through the MyHope4Austin Organization.

Robert Gardner

In November 2019, Robert’s journey with asthma took a turn when he was hospitalized for a severe upper respiratory infection. Due to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, health insurance, and medicine costs, he struggled to get his asthma under control. On March 13, 2021, he woke up with severe asthma symptoms. Around 6 p.m. that night, he was rushed to the hospital and took his last breath. Robert was a dedicated husband and father to Sevyn and Urban and affectionately known as the “loudest, most vibrant soul you would have ever met.”

Laura Levis

Laura had an infectious laugh and loved working out, hiking, travel, scary movies, iced coffee, her cats, and most of all her family and friends. In the midst of an asthma attack in 2016, she walked to her local hospital alone at night but had trouble locating its emergency department due to poor lighting and improper signage. Not a single door was marked “emergency.” The door that appeared to lead to the emergency department was locked, so she called for help. No one came out of the hospital to find her. Her attack overcame her and she died days later at 34.

On June 8, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will issue first-of-their-kind regulations to improve emergency-department signage, lighting, wayfinding, and security in accordance with “Laura’s Law.” Laura's husband, Peter DeMarco, proposed and helped pass the legislation and has worked with state officials to see it implemented. He is pushing them to make Laura’s Law as strong as possible so that no one will ever get lost on their way to an emergency department and that proper fail-safes will be in place if they do.

Laura’s attack happened during Asthma Peak Week, which falls on the third week of September. Peter believes that had she been aware of peak week she might still be alive, and he has tried to spread that message through AAFA. “Losing Laura,” which Peter wrote for the Boston Globe Magazine, also tells her story.

In August, the AAFA New England chapter will be running in the Falmouth Road Race to raise asthma and allergy awareness. Peter will be running for Laura, leading the way as the team’s first captain. Cheer them on and support their efforts.

Ahmad Malik

Anela Malik is a popular food and travel writer who also has a connection to food allergies and asthma. At 56, her father, Ahmad Malik, died of an asthma attack. He had asthma all his life. On Instagram, she shared how her dad, who became an activist, was barred from care at a whites-only hospital during an asthma attack as a child because he was Black. This nearly killed him then. Structural racism continued to play a role in management of asthma throughout his life.

Nicola Parrotta

Nicola was 70 when he died on Feb. 20, 2021. His family is holding a fundraiser in his honor with a goal of $5,000 to donate toward asthma and allergy education, support, and the reduction of asthma disparities.

Elijah Silvera

In 2017, 3-year-old Elijah went to his New York City day care like any other day. Even though the staff knew of his multiple food allergies – including milk – they gave him a grilled cheese sandwich. They did not follow his Anaphylaxis Action Plan, and Elijah died from an allergic reaction.

Elijah’s parents, Thomas Silvera and Dina Hawthorne-Silvera formed the Elijah-Alavi Foundation in his honor. They work to raise food allergy awareness and the critical need for education and training. To date, three states have passed Elijah’s Law. The bill requires early education/children’s day care programs to follow state guidelines for prevention and response to anaphylaxis. AAFA supports the Elijah-Alavi Foundation in getting versions of the bill passed in other states.

Joseph “Joey” Shepherd

Joey committed his life to serving others as an ICU nurse, loving husband to Katie, and father to three children. He passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 12, 2021, from an asthma attack at age 34. To honor Joey and his spirit of servanthood, his family works to help other people who have asthma.

Marisa Smock

Marisa had managed asthma since the fourth grade. But at the end of her freshman year of college, she passed away two days before finishing her spring semester. High pollen counts, school stress, lack of sleep, and lack of air conditioning in the dorms all created a situation Marisa could not recover from. Marisa died from asthma on May 6, 2015. In her honor, her family founded Marisa’s Mascots to educate people about asthma and raise funds to support AAFA’s mission.

Michael “Mikey” Thomas

Mikey wasn’t defined by asthma. Instead, he was known as a loving son, brother, uncle, and friend. “Mikey was the sweetest, most kind person you would ever meet,” recalled his mother, Marietta Adams. “Mikey was my second-born son and child, but most importantly, he was my protector and best friend.”

Mikey died on Feb. 13, 2021, from asthma but friends and family have continued to spread his love by supporting AAFA’s mission to help other people with asthma and allergies.

“Mikey was an excellent son, brother, uncle, and friend to many," said Mikey’s father and step mother, Harry and Lytetia Thomas, Jr. “He was a calm in the storm. We were blessed to have had him here with us on life’s journey and even more blessed to have him as our guardian angel. May we always remember his best attribute which is love.”

Jordan Vison

The love story of Valerie and Jordan came to a sad, needless end when her 30-year-old husband, Jordan, died from asthma. He woke in the middle of the night struggling to breathe. After a night in the emergency room, he was sent home, only to have his symptoms reappear four days later. At 1:20 a.m., Valerie woke to find her husband having another asthma attack. He was gone five minutes later.

Valerie now fiercely advocates on Jordan’s behalf to save other people from asthma. She is sounding the alarm on racial and ethnic asthma disparities.

Emily Vonder Meulen

Emily was 13 when she died from anaphylaxis back in 2006. She had eaten a sandwich at a mall – a sandwich she had safely many times before. She also had asthma, so she mistook the signs of anaphylaxis for an asthma attack. Emily tried to treat her symptoms with her inhaler instead of epinephrine.

Her parents, Paul and Catrina, have worked over the years to raise awareness about knowing how to recognize and treat anaphylaxis when you also have asthma. They have been long-time advocates and supporters of KFA. They have provided financial support to help us share anaphylaxis-asthma education over the years.

The people we’ve mentioned here are just a small number of lost to asthma or allergies. AAFA staff talks almost daily to families who have lost loved ones, helping them through the grief that comes with the sudden death of a loved one from asthma or allergy. It’s our deepest hope to keep more of these tragedies from happening to others.

Resources
1. National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System: Mortality (1999-2018). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html2. Fatal anaphylaxis in the United States, 1999-2010: Temporal patterns and demographic associations - Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (jacionline.org)

Warmer weather is here and that means outdoor picnics and barbecues. By preparing ahead of time, you can reduce your stress and avoid allergic reactions. Here are some ways to keep your child safe at gatherings.

1. Bring the Epinephrine

This is the most important part of preparing for an outing. Keep your child’s epinephrine auto-injectors with you at all times. Make sure you know how to give your child epinephrine correctly in case of an allergic reaction. Remember to protect epinephrine devices so they don’t get too hot or too cold. Keep them out of the sun and out of reach of other curious children.

2. Keep Safe Food Safe

Allergen cross-contact can easily happen at picnics and potlucks. If you bring a dish to share that is safe for your child, set some aside and label it before putting the dish on the serving table. Keep it separate from the main food area. Cross-contact can happen if guests mix up serving spoons, touch other items on their plate, or drip across another dish as they are serving.

Another option is to bring a safe meal just for your child. Make it fun so your child isn’t disappointed if their food is “different.”

3. Skip Foods Without a Label

Make the day about having fun with family and friends instead of the food being served. Sometimes this can be hard when there are yummy-looking foods on the table. Bring extra treats for your child.

If a food doesn’t have a label you can read, don’t feed it to your child. Snacks or other foods out of the package can look like something your child eats safely, but different brands can have different ingredients.

This goes for dishes prepared by other guests too. Even if they can tell you what ingredients or brands they used, they may not remember everything they added while they were preparing it.

4. Keep an Eye on Your Young Child

Little ones often don’t understand which foods are safe and which are not. In the time it takes for you to turn your head and say hello to someone, little ones can pick up a bite of food or be offered food by others. Keep a close eye on your child to make sure accidents don’t happen. Be sure they know which adults to come to when they want something to eat.

If you are at the gathering with a spouse or trusted family members or friends, take turns being "on duty" so everyone gets to socialize. Or train a trusted older child or teen to shadow your child. Use KFA’s resources to help train caregivers.

5. Bring Wipes to Keep Hands Clean

Most likely, your child will be playing with other children and adults who are eating unsafe foods. Bring disposable hand wipes so it is easy for everyone to keep their hands clean. Remember that hand sanitizers do not remove food proteins. If a bathroom is not available to wash up, hand wipes are your next best option.

6. Let Others Know About Your Child’s Food Allergy

Make sure everyone knows about your child’s food allergy. Ask them not to feed your child at all. Have quick answers ready about why food allergies are a big deal. Let the host know about your child’s food allergy before the event. They may be willing to help you spread the word and help keep your child safe.

Blue Moose Issues Allergy Alert for Undeclared Tree Nuts (Cashew) and Soy in Spinach Artichoke Parmesan Dip, 7oz.

For Immediate Release

May 22, 2022

Contact Information

Bill Cancellieri
303-521-8216

Company Announcement

Product Name: “Spinach Artichoke Parmesan Dip” 7oz.
Brand: Blue Moose
Lot #: SS446931
UPC Code: 847847004675
Dip contains Undeclared Tree Nut (Cashew) and Soy Allergens.

Blue Moose of Boulder (Colorado) is voluntarily recalling Blue Moose Spinach Artichoke Parmesan Dip, 7oz. as the dip contains undeclared tree nut (Cashew) and soy allergens.

This recall has been initiated due to mislabeling issue where a small run Spinach Artichoke Cashew Dip was labeled as Spinach Artichoke Parmesan Dip. Improperly labeled units were discovered at the store level when stocking products. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to cashews or soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. See enclosed product label to help in identifying the product at retail/user level.

This product was shipped on 5/13/22 to Vons, Albertsons, and Pavilions Grocery Stores located throughout southern California as well as the Las Vegas, Nevada area.

The product comes in a 7-ounce square clear plastic container labeled as “Spinach Artichoke Parmesan Dip”. The affected product can be identified by the lot number ink-coded on the side of the container as Lot# SS446931 Best By 8/10/22. No other lots were affected by this issue.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this situation.

Consumers who purchased the product may return it to the retail location where the purchased for a full refund or exchange.

Please contact Bill Cancellieri (303-521-8216) M-F 9am – 4 PM with any concerns

Dierbergs Markets Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in Fresh Garden Spiral Pasta Salad in 12 Oz. & 2 Lb. Self-Service Packages

For Immediate Release

May 18, 2022

Contact Information

Dierbergs Markets
1-636-532-8884

Company Announcement

Dierbergs Markets will be recalling the Fresh Garden Spiral Pasta Salad with an outdate of 5/31/22 in the 12oz & 2 lb self-service packages.

All implicated product was produced on Friday May 13, 2022 and sent to stores on Saturday May 14, 2022, have been removed from the store shelves. Product was distributed to the following Dierbergs locations in the St. Louis, MO area: 94 Crossing, Arnold, Bogey Hills, Brentwood, Clarkson, Deer Creek, Des Peres, Fenton, Lake St. Louis, Market Place, Telegraph, Warson Woods, Wentzville, and Wildwood.

A Lead Assistant Deli / Seafood Manager at Lemay Dierbergs location discovered that the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad was mislabeled as Fresh Garden Spiral Pasta Salad. The product labeled as Garden Spiral Pasta Salad carries an undeclared egg allergen not present on the label.

No illness have been reported to date.

People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to Egg run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The following products are included in this recall and are identifiable by a label ID number of 108 in the lower left-hand corner about the UPC.

Fresh Garden Spiral Pasta Salad
Size: 12oz
UPC:23114500000
Sell By Date: 5/31/22

Fresh Garden Spiral Pasta Salad
Size: 2LB Family Pack
UPC: 23114500000
Sell By Date: 5/31/22

Dierbergs Markets is working closely with the Food & Drug Administration. No other Dierbergs Branded products are affected by this recall.

Dierbergs Markets is asking consumers who have packages of the product to return them unopened to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Dierbergs Markets at 1-636-532-8884 Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm CDT.

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Weis Markets’ Ready-To-Eat General Tso Chicken Meals Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

For Immediate Release

May 13, 2022

Contact Information

Weis Markets
(866) 999-9347, option 5

Company Announcement

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that Weis Markets’ ready-to-eat (RTE) General Tso Chicken meals may contain milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the store’s finished product label. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with an allergy to milk are aware that these products should not be consumed.

The RTE General Tso Chicken meals were prepared, labeled and sold in the Deli area at Weis Markets stores between April 13, 2022, and May 11, 2022. The products have sell by dates of April 13, 2022 through May 15, 2022. The following products are subject to this public health alert [view labels]:

• Deli compartment containers containing “Weis GENERAL TSO CHICKEN FAMILY MEAL Serving Size 1 cup Calories 500.”
• Deli compartment containers containing “Weis GENERAL TSO CHICKEN SMALL MEAL Serving Size 1 cup Calories 500.”
• Deli compartment containers containing “Weis GENERAL TSO MEAL Serving Size 1 each Calories 910.”

These items were sold at Weis Markets’ retail delis in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.                             

The problem was discovered when Weis Markets in Sunbury, Pa. reported that they had been using correctly labeled, USDA inspected and passed chicken products containing milk ingredients but did not update their in-store labels for General Tso Chicken meals to include milk as an ingredient.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS has verified the affected products are no longer available for sale but is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers and members of the media with questions about the public health alert can contact Weis Markets at (866) 999-9347, option 5, Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.

Mrs Miller’s Homemade Jams Issues Voluntary Recall Due to an Undeclared Soy Allergen

For Immediate Release

May 13, 2022

Contact Information

Brent Miller
330-674-1165
info@millershomemadejams.com

Company Announcement

Fredericksburg, OH (May 09, 2022) Mrs Miller’s Homemade Jams in Fredericksburg OH is voluntarily recalling its Smokey BBQ Bacon Jam and Spicy Chili Bacon Jam, packaged in 9 oz glass jars. The recall is due to an undeclared soy allergen found in the Worchestire Sauce and Hickory Smoke ingredients used in these jams. This recall has been initiated due to the ingredient label not stating a soy allergen.

Products were available for sale from 04/01/2019 - 05/09/2022 online and at the following retailers & distributors:

Ashery Country Store 8922 State Route 241, Fredericksburg, OH 44627
Mrs Miller's Homemade Noodles 9140 CR 192 Fredericksburg, OH 44627
Cracklin Pig Rosters Roasters PO Box 450 Berlin OH 44610
Hillside Orchard PO Box 281 Hinckley, OH 44233
Kountry Kin Crafts 902 Planing Mill St Caldwell OH 43724
German Village PO Box 223 Berlin, OH 44610
Amish Originals 8 N State St Westerville, OH 43081-2114
Country Hills Market 8229 County Road 201 Fredericksburg, OH 44627
Amish Door Market PO Box 215 Wilmot, OH 44689
Hershberger's Farm Market 5452 St Rt 557 Millersburg, OH 44654
Bunker Hill Cheese 6005 CR 77 Millersburg, OH 44654
Chuck Lager 4500 New Linden Hall Rd Pike Creek, DE 19808 609-351-4617
Steiner's Furniture LLC 10722 NW Grand Ave Sun City, AZ 85351 602 568 1149
Doak Distributing LLC Elmira MI
Maria Sobas 2461 Timbers Edge Ln Columbus OH 43235 9375376163
Bork Farms 537 Neal Rd. Homer City Pa. 15748
Anne's Mercantile 3825 N Cramer St Shorewood, WI 53211 7196472224
Burton Farms General Store 425 Conover Blvd W Conover, NC 28613 704 530 4372
Marie Bakers Gift Shop PO Box 75 Longville, MN 56655
Kidd’s Quality Merchandise 849 Midway Road Alum creek, WV 25003 Orchard Farm Stand 3350 NE Catawba Rd, Port Clinton, OH 43452
Mountain Witch Tea Company 40641 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake, CA 93215
The Pantry 2122 US 92 Auburndale, FL 33823 863 206 3646
Garden Market 4660 Hwy 119 Montevallo, AL 35115
Floyd’s on 60 5830 Davis Creek Rd, Barboursville, WV 25504
Nagel Farm Stand 39491 Parson's Rd Grafton, OH 44044
Farmers Meats & Deli 304 552 6643 Cambridge True Value 115 North Ashland St Cambridge, MN 55008
New Creation Farm 12126 Clark Rd Chardon, OH 44024
J&J Sales 5770 Spring Grove Dr Solon, OH 44139
Streb's General Store 4369 OH-39, Millersburg, OH 44654
B & S Meat Packaging 1007 Heber Springs Rd Batesville AR 72501
Amish & Sofa City Outlet 3383 Hickory Blvd, Hudson NC 28638
Bay 15 115 N Ashland St Cambridge MN 55008
Bargain Depot USA Florida
Stirgwolt & Associates 2439 Coltsbridge Dr Lewis Center, OH 43035 Beekers General Store 226 E. Front St PO Box 273 Pemberville, OH 43450
Mountainside Exchange 1325 Washington St Clarkesville, GA 30523 706 389 8441
Jabella's Roadside Market PO Box 133 Wilmot, OH 44689
Nana’s Crackers & Pretzels Louisiana
Walnut Creek Foods PO Box 240 Walnut Creek, OH 44687
Miller's Farm Market 7396 US HWY 97 Peshastin , Wa. 98847 509-669-1585
Quiet Harmony Ranch 10684 Morrison Mikesell Rd New Paris, OH 45347

The issue was discovered during a routine inspection conducted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. There have been no reports of illness involving the product addressed in this recall. However people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy could run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. Individuals exhibiting signs or symptoms of food borne illness or allergies should contact a physician immediately.

Customers with a soy allergy or sensitivity who have purchased the affected product should dispose of it and contact Mrs Miller’s Homemade Jams for a replacement jar. Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Brent Miller at info@millershomemadejams.com or 330 674 1165.

HP Hood LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in Planet Oat Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert (Updated: Additional Locations)

For Immediate Release

May 12, 2022

Contact Information

Consumer Affairs
1-800-242-2423

Company Announcement

HP Hood LLC – Lynnfield, MA, is recalling 4,481 cases of Planet Oat Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Planet Oat Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert with a Best By date of 12/17/22, because it may contain undeclared peanuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Product was distributed nationally to retail stores in the Continental United States. Product was also distributed to retail stores in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, and Cayman Islands.

This recall is limited to the following products:

This recall does not apply to any other UPC codes, “Best By” dates, or varieties of Planet Oat frozen dessert products.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that some Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl product, which contains peanuts, was packaged in a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough container, which does not contain the peanut allergen statement. The issue was discovered by a retail customer, which contacted Hood.

All retail customers that received the recalled products are being instructed to remove such products from their shelves. All distribution centers are being instructed check inventory, cease distribution, and notify retail customers.

Consumers who purchased the product may return it to the retail location where the purchase was made for a full refund or exchange. Consumers with questions may contact consumer affairs at 1-800-242-2423 Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM EST.

Below are images of the Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl and the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough frozen desserts and the affected “Best By” date:

On May 20, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Dupixent® (dupilumab) for people 12 and older with eosinophilic [EE-oh-sin-oh-FILL-ick] esophagitis [uh-sof-uh-JIE-tis], also known as EoE. In the clinical trial, Dupixent greatly improved EoE symptoms. This is the first FDA-approved medicine available in the U.S. to treat EoE.

What Is Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)?

EoE is an allergic, progressive condition that causes swelling in your esophagus (swallowing tube). The esophagus is in an upper part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (gut). It is the tube that moves food from your mouth to your stomach when you swallow. EoE happens when certain white blood cells called eosinophils [EE-oh-sin-oh-FILLS] migrate to and build up in the lining of the esophagus. This buildup can damage the esophagus and make it harder to swallow. For people with EoE, swallowing even the smallest amount of food can be painful and lead to choking. This can lead to significant anxiety, frustration, and poor quality of life. In addition, this disease can cause narrowing of the esophagus, which may need to be dilated by a gastroenterologist.

There are about 160,000 people in the U.S. living with EoE who are being treated medically. Of these, treatments have failed for around 48,000. Many children and adults with EoE respond well to changes in their diet, such as specific food elimination diets (e.g., milk, egg, wheat, and soy). Certain medicines, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) typically used to treat gastroesophageal reflux and swallowed corticosteroids, may also help manage and reduce symptoms. But these treatments may not give full relief because they don’t adequately combat or reverse the buildup of eosinophils in the esophagus – the underlying cause of the disease.

What Is Dupixent?

Dupixent is a type of treatment called a biologic, or monoclonal antibody therapy. In general, biologics target specific cells (pathways that are part of your immune system) to block inflammation and swelling. They are typically prescribed when conditions do not respond to other treatments. Biologics are not steroids. Several specific biologic therapies have been developed to use in the management of difficult-to-control conditions such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

Dupixent is currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of moderate-to-severe asthma and atopic dermatitis (eczema) for people ages 6 and older. It is also approved for CRSwNP for people ages 18 and older. It is an injection you can give yourself at home every few weeks (children will need help or supervision). It comes in two options – a prefilled syringe or prefilled auto-injector.

What Should People With EoE Know About Dupixent ?

Clinical trials looked at how safe and effective the treatment (Dupixent) is compared to other treatments already available. The first study of the trial showed positive results for EoE when participants took 300mg of Dupixent once a week for 24 weeks compared to a similar group of patients not taking Dupixent (i.e., placebo group).

The second part of the Phase 3 trial enrolled 159 people. Eighty people in the trial were in the treatment group that received Dupixent. Researchers reviewed their symptoms, such as swelling in the esophagus and trouble swallowing. After 24 weeks, the people who got Dupixent showed the following improvements compared to the placebo group not receiving Dupixent:

• Reduced eosinophils in the esophagus
• Reduced swelling in the esophagus
• Reduced EoE symptoms, such as trouble swallowing

Overall, the people who took Dupixent saw significantly larger improvements than the people who did not take Dupixent (placebo group). Dupixent is the first biologic to show such positive results in EoE patients.

What Happens Next?

The FDA approved this treatment for adults or children ages 12 years or older who weigh at least 88 pounds. Talk with your doctor (allergist or gastroenterologist) to find out if this new treatment may be an option for your child (or you, if you have EoE).

Read more about the study and the FDA announcement.

Medical Review: May 2022 by John M. James, MD

White Cane Sockeye Salmon LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat and Soy in Wild Alaskan Cooked and Smoked Salmon

For Immediate Release

May 19, 2022

Contact Information

Randy Houghton
208- 661-7927
WCSockeye@yahoo.com

Company Announcement

White Cane Sockeye Smoked Salmon LLC of Coeurd-Alene, ID is recalling Wild Alaskan Cooked and Smoked Salmon because it contains undeclared Wheat and Soy. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat or soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The affected Wild Alaskan Cooked and Smoked Salmon has been sold at farmer’s markets Green Valley, Udall Park, Oro Valley, and Rillito Park in Arizona. The affected product was last sold on 5/15/2022.

The affected Wild Alaskan Cooked and Smoked Salmon is packaged in vacuum bag, sold frozen, and there is no lot code or best by date on a package. Enclosed is the label of the affected product.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing wheat and soy in Teriyaki Sauce, but it was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat and soy.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Customers with wheat or soy allergy or sensitivity and have purchased the affected product are urged not to consume the product and dispose of it or return it to their place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Randy Houghton at 208- 661-7927, Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm GMT or send email to WCSockeye@yahoo.com

Van Leeuwen Issues Voluntary Recall on Undeclared Tree Nuts (Cashew and Pistachio) in Frozen Dessert Product

For Immediate Release

May 10, 2022

Contact Information

Kate Alberswerth
(718)-701-1630
kate@vanleeuwenicecream.com

Company Announcement

BROOKLYN, N.Y., May 10, 2022 -- Van Leeuwen Ice Cream of Brooklyn, NY is voluntarily recalling 2,185 frozen 14 oz pints of its non-dairy frozen dessert product "Oat Milk Brown Sugar Chunk” because it may contain undeclared specific trace of allergens (tree nuts – cashews and pistachios). People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to specific types of allergen (e.g., peanuts, tree nuts {chestnuts, brazil nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, pine nuts, cashews}, eggs, and sulfites) run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The recalled products are distributed nationally in retail stores. The product comes in a 14 ounce white package with orange lettering and an orange lid. The product is marked with lot #21V194 and a best by date of 1/13/2023 which are both displayed on the bottom of the pint. The recall does not apply to any other lot marking, best by date, or varieties of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream products.

The recall was voluntarily initiated after it was discovered due to a customer complaint, who experienced a reaction, that the lot contains the undeclared tree nuts and was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of the allergen. The cause of the contamination is being investigated.

Retailers who are in possession of the product are urged to, in this order, stop sales and distribution immediately, contain and isolate the lot, and contact Van Leeuwen Ice Cream immediately for verification and disposal instructions. Consumers who have purchased the impacted lot should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to Kate Alberswerth, kate@vanleeuwenicecream.com or 718.701.1630 between the hours of 9:00 – 5:00 EST.

Advocating for children with food allergies and asthma is a great way to spread awareness during National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. We invite you to help us take action on Advocacy Action Day!

When creating policies, Congress needs to consider what families managing food allergies and asthma need to live full, healthy lives. Around 5.6 million children and 26 million adults in the U.S. have food allergies.^1,2 About 25 million people have asthma.³ And because these are related conditions, many children may have both.

These numbers show us how many people in the U.S. are managing food allergies and asthma. But they don’t show the impact these diseases have on families, their quality of life, and their communities.

We need more than just health care policies. We need Congress to consider the health of children with food allergies and asthma in all policies. They need the following to live healthy and full lives:

• Safe food
• Affordable, accessible, quality health care
• Clean air
• Healthy homes
• Financial stability
• Education

One way you can take action today is by asking Congress to support the Medical Nutrition Equity Act of 2021 (MNEA). MNEA is a bill that would require public and private insurance to cover medical foods, vitamins, and individual amino acids.

Medical foods are nutrition products (usually formulas) that are made to manage a disease or condition. They are prescribed and used under medical supervision. They are not the same as foods recommended by a doctor as part of a diet to manage symptoms. These products are sometimes needed to give complete or added nutrition. Children need proper nutrition for growth, mental development, and immune system development.

Help us expand coverage of medical foods by acting now! Use our tool below to send an email to your senators and representatives. You can also choose to post your message on Twitter. Then sign up to receive Advocacy Action Alerts so you can continue to help us advocate for people with asthma and allergies throughout the year.

References
1. Gupta, R. S., Warren, C. M., Smith, B. M., Jiang, J., Blumenstock, J. A., Davis, M. M., Schleimer, R. P., & Nadeau, K. C. (2019). Prevalence and Severity of Food Allergies Among US Adults. JAMA Network Open, 2(1), e185630. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5630
2. Gupta, R. S., Warren, C. M., Smith, B. M., Blumenstock, J. A., Jiang, J., Davis, M. M., & Nadeau, K. C. (2018). The Public Health Impact of Parent-Reported Childhood Food Allergies in the United States. Pediatrics, 142(6). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-1235
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). 2019 National Health Interview Survey Data. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/nhis/2019/data.htm