• SHORT TITLE(S) AS INTRODUCED:
  Food Allergen Consumer Protection Act

• SHORT TITLE(S) AS REPORTED TO SENATE:
  Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act

• OFFICIAL TITLE AS INTRODUCED:
  A Bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish labeling requirements regarding allergenic substances in food, and for other purposes.

5/9/2002:

Introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4163-4164)

5/9/2002:

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4164-4165)

9/25/2002:

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

10/17/2002:

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Kennedy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 107-322.

10/17/2002:

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 739.

Committee/Subcommittee:		Activity:
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions		Referral, Markup, Reporting

Bill:	Relationship:
H.R.4704	Identical bill identified by CRS

***NONE***

Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham - 5/9/2002 [NY]

Sen Torricelli, Robert G. - 9/25/2002 [NJ]

Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to define " major food allergen" as any of the following: milk, eggs, fish, Crustacea, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soybeans. Includes spices, flavorings, colorings, or incidental additives that are or intentionally contain a major food allergen. Requires food that is not a raw agricultural commodity, and that is, or intentionally bears or contains, a major food allergen, to state that information on its label by January 1, 2006.

(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue a report to Congress analyzing various topics, including how foods can be unintentionally contaminated with major food allergens. States that the report shall recommend good manufacturing practices or other methods to reduce or eliminate such cross-contact of foods with major food allergens.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to give priority to increasing the number of inspections under the Act to ensure that foods comply with practices to reduce or eliminate cross-contact with major food allergen residues and to ensure that major food allergens are properly labeled on foods. Sets forth reporting requirements.

(Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine to conduct a review of the science relating to glutens in food and celiac disease, and to issue a report to the Secretary and Congress on its findings. Directs the Secretary to issue a proposed rule followed by a final rule to define, and permit use of, the term "gluten-free" on the labeling of foods. Sets forth reporting requirements.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary, with appropriate consultation, to complete a study on the existing systems of reporting, collecting, and analyzing national data on certain subjects, including the prevalence of food allergies, and to identify new or alternative enhancements to such systems. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 8) Requires the Secretary, through the National Institutes of Health, to convene a panel of nationally recognized experts to review basic and clinical research efforts related to food allergies and to develop a plan for expanding, intensifying, and coordinating such research. Sets forth reporting requirements.

(Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary, in the Conference for Food Protection, as part of its cooperative activities between the States under the Public Health Service Act, to pursue certain revisions of the Food Code to provide guidelines for preparing allergen-free foods in food establishments.

(Sec. 10) Requires the Secretary to include assistance relating to the use of different modes of treatment for and prevention of allergic responses to foods when he or she provides technical assistance relating to trauma care and emergency medical services under the Public Health Service Act.