Proclamations

Back to Proclamations

Proclamation Header Image

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Food Allergy Awareness Week

WHEREAS, as many as 32 million Americans have food allergies; nearly 6 million are children under the age of 18; and,

WHEREAS, research shows that the prevalence of food allergies is increasing among children and adults; and,

WHEREAS, nine foods cause the majority of all food allergy reactions in the United States: shellfish, fish, milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, wheat and sesame, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe, such as anaphylaxis; and,

WHEREAS, anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death; and,

WHEREAS, each year an estimated 3.3 million Americans require emergency room treatment for symptoms of a serious allergic reaction to food with reactions typically occurring when an individual unknowingly eats a food containing an ingredient to which they are allergic; and,

WHEREAS, emergency medical treatment for severe allergic reactions to food has increased by 377 percent in the last decade; and,

WHEREAS, education and awareness will improve the health and quality of life of individuals with food allergies and provide hope;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 8-14, 2022 as FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS WEEK in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.