Letter to the Hon. Stephen Hahn, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration - Meng Demands FDA to Not Compromise Those with Food Allergies During COVID-19

Letter

Dear Commissioner Hahn,
I write to you days after the culmination of Food Allergy Awareness Week to urge you to reverse
the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to allow temporary flexibility regarding
labeling requirements for foods during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While I appreciate your goal to adjust regulatory policy in order to minimize disruptions in
supply chains during this pandemic, these flexibilities must not be implemented at the expense of
American lives. Those with severe allergies rely on accurate ingredient lists on food labels; even
an ingredient that is present in less than 2 percent of a food product can result in life-threatening
anaphylactic shock. For example, as your Administration's guidance suggests, if canola oil may
be substituted for sunflower oil with no change in labeling, those with sunflower seed allergies
can face unexpected and increased risk.
Individuals with food allergies are already hypervigilant about their food consumption -- but this
has never been more necessary than during a pandemic. After all, a hospital visit for a food
allergy poses enhanced risks for patients; this can also divert critical hospital resources from
those battling COVID-19.
I urge you to immediately reinstate previously existing food labeling requirements. I look
forward to your swift action and response.

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