FARE Applauds Creation of the Congressional Food Allergy Research Caucus

McLean, Va. (May 20, 2021) – Today, FARE celebrated the creation of the new bipartisan Congressional Food Allergy Research Caucus that will advocate for the food allergy community on Capitol Hill and thanked four members of the United States House of Representatives for leading the new organization.

“FARE applauds the creation of the Congressional Food Allergy Research Caucus and the leadership of Reps. Matsui, McHenry, Khanna, and Cline,” FARE President and CEO Lisa Gable said. “We look forward to working in partnership with the Caucus to pass laws that benefit our families and increase federal funding to help develop new treatments and ultimately a cure for the more than 85M Americans impacted by food allergy and intolerance.”

The Caucus will be Co-Chaired by Reps. Doris Matsui (D-CA-06) and Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) with Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA-17) and Ben Cline (R-VA-06). 

“Food allergies impact the daily lives of millions of Americans, including our friends and family members,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “The creation of the Congressional Food Allergy Research Caucus will lift up the voices of our food allergy advocates and draw critical attention to food allergens as important public health issues. With the help of our food allergy community, this Caucus will work to advocate for expanded research and promote policies that lead to new prevention strategies, treatments, and, eventually, a cure for food allergies.”

The creation of the Congressional Food Allergy Research Caucus was the second highest legislative priority for FARE this year following the passage of the FASTER Act. In March, more than 500 food allergy champions participated in FARE’s Courage at Congress virtual fly-in where they met with more than 100 members of the House and shared with them why the Congressional Food Allergy Research Caucus was needed.

“During my tenure in Congress, I’ve met with several families who have shared tragic stories of loss as the result of dangerous food allergies,” Rep. Ben Cline said. “Their heartbreaking accounts highlight the need to improve health and safety measures for those afflicted, and I am pleased to help raise these issues as the new Vice-Chair of the Food Allergy and Research Caucus. I look forward to helping to educate my colleagues in the House and the public about the need to expand food allergy research and support the development of therapies and cures.”