Goals and Accomplishments

FAAN’s goal is to be a world leader in food allergy and anaphylaxis awareness and the issues surrounding this disease.

Among FAAN’s accomplishments in its 18-year history are its involvement in historic legislation regarding food labeling, its creation of the widely recognized initiative, Food Allergy Awareness Week, its educational programs taught in schools across the country, and the formation of the Research Grant Program.

FAAN is also a founding member of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Alliance, an alliance of patient education groups around the world. The Alliance’s mission is to unite organizations working in food allergy and anaphylaxis in order to exchange information and advance key issues of importance to those with food allergy and anaphylaxis. The Alliance, comprised of 11 international food allergy organizations, was formed in 1999.

Through the media, FAAN’s spokespersons, and fundraising events, FAAN has contributed to a growing awareness of food allergies and anaphylaxis. Its flagship fundraising event, the Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward A Cure, raised $2.3 million for research and education programs in 2008.

FAAN has worked with policymakers on the local and national level on initiatives and laws focusing on food labeling, schools, emergency medical services, restaurants, and airlines. FAAN was involved in the passage of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act, which took effect in 2006 and requires food labels containing any of the eight major food allergens to declare the allergen in plain language on the ingredient list. FAAN also played a role in the 2009 passage of a Massachusetts law that calls on restaurants to display a food allergy awareness poster in the restaurant staff area, place a note on menus of the customer’s obligation to inform a server about any food allergies, and train food protection managers and other restaurant managers about food allergy issues.

Awards

In 2010, FAAN's website received an Award of Excellence from the APEX Awards for Publication Excellence, and an Award of Excellence from the Communicator Awards. In 2010, FAAN also received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management, for the third year in a row.
APEX Award WinnerCommunicator Awards Winner 4 Star Rating, Charity Navigator

 

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