FARE Blog

It’s no secret that plant-based diets are increasing in popularity. The Plant Based Foods Association reported in a 2018 Nielsen study that plant-based food sales topped $3.3 billion last year. Specifically, sales of plant-based meat products have grown by 24%, which is notable since general retail food sales have only grown by 2% over the same time.

With the right preparation for the trip and enough allergy-safe snacks brought from home, it is possible to experience the world while being safe.

Whether you’re preparing for a future college search, deeply engaged in the applications process, or already attending university, it’s important to understand the rights of post-secondary students with a history of severe food allergy reactions.

The food allergy community needs better labeling, access to real treatments and, ultimately, a cure. FARE tackled each of these challenges this summer.

Today, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panelists voted to recommend the approval of Aimmune Therapeutics’ groundbreaking peanut allergy treatment, AR101, for patients aged 4-17.

On Friday, September 13, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will hold an advisory committee meeting to review and make recommendations on the safety and effectiveness of Aimmune Therapeutics’ groundbreaking peanut allergy treatment, AR101.

As the food allergy community awaits Food and Drug Administration approval of two possible treatments for peanut allergy – Aimmune’s AR101 peanut oral immunotherapy product and DBV’s Viaskin Peanut patch for epicutaneous (“on the skin”) immunotherapy – a third approach to peanut allergy treatment made news this week.

More than 32 million people have food allergies. Treatments and a cure will be found the same way they’re found for other major diseases—through research.

As I enter my final year of high school, I continue to be severely allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, dairy, all legumes, mustard and soy. I have had about seven anaphylactic reactions throughout my youth, my first at the age of 13. Since then I have learned my telltale symptoms and take every precaution under the sun to avoid my allergens and future reactions.

As the number of people with food allergies skyrockets, the federal government is falling behind. Food allergy research is among the lowest funded of all major diseases.