How to Contact Your Elected Officials:
https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
How to Contact Your Elected Officials
Please contact your Congressional Representatives and demand that corn be declared an allergen. Thank you all for your support.
How to Contact Your Elected Officials:
https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
How to Contact Your Elected Officials:
https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
Friday, March 25, 2016
"Allergy Advisor," Published Corn Allergy Study
“Maize allergy can occur to the ingestion of maize or maize derivatives, or to the inhalation of maize flour or maize pollen. A true allergy to maize has been said to be uncommon,1 but recent studies have shown that diagnostic methods used in the past may not have been accurate, so that maize allergy was underdiagnosed.”
“Allergic reactions, including dermatitis, have been described with maize by-products, corn syrup, corn dextrimaltose, corn invert sugar, corn isomerised dextrose and corn D-psicose.20,21,22 This demonstrates that one or more allergens remain in maize throughout processing and are still present in maize derivatives. Intravenous administration of a maize-derived dextrose solution has resulted in anaphylaxis.”
“Because maize is eaten in various ways . . . and the specific allergen profile of various maize derivatives is not known, it may be necessary to challenge each derivative separately. Each derivative may have a different potential for triggering adverse reactions. It is therefore useful to assess a person's tolerance of each component.”
Prof Janice M. Joneja Ph. D., RDN
“It has been my experience through many years of managing food allergies and intolerances that adverse reactions to corn and corn derivatives are frequently undiagnosed, and the incidence of corn allergy is greatly underestimated. Because skin tests and tests for anti-corn antibodies in blood are generally negative, the assumption that corn allergy is uncommon has been made to the detriment of many corn-sensitive individuals - usually children. As this case study demonstrates, corn allergy is an example of a food allergy that can only be successfully and accurately identified by elimination and challenge. Corn is not unique in this respect since allergy to a number of foods is often overlooked because the standard allergy tests are negative. We have to keep in mind that because of the high incidence of false negative, and sometimes false positive results, estimates of the efficacy of skin and blood tests for food allergy never exceed 50%, and many practitioners rate them even lower. Even when a positive skin or blood test indicates the presence of anti-food IgE, elimination and challenge must be undertaken to demonstrate that the food does in fact cause clinical symptoms when it is consumed. It is more than probable that factors other than the presence of IgE (and/or IgG) antibodies, and reactive immune cells in the skin, are responsible for the expression of allergy. Until science is able to elucidate the precise mechanisms responsible for all types of clinical allergy, we must rely on carefully controlled elimination and challenge to accurately identify the foods responsible for the symptoms of allergy.”
http://www.allergyadvisor.com/Educational/March04.htm
“Allergic reactions, including dermatitis, have been described with maize by-products, corn syrup, corn dextrimaltose, corn invert sugar, corn isomerised dextrose and corn D-psicose.20,21,22 This demonstrates that one or more allergens remain in maize throughout processing and are still present in maize derivatives. Intravenous administration of a maize-derived dextrose solution has resulted in anaphylaxis.”
“Because maize is eaten in various ways . . . and the specific allergen profile of various maize derivatives is not known, it may be necessary to challenge each derivative separately. Each derivative may have a different potential for triggering adverse reactions. It is therefore useful to assess a person's tolerance of each component.”
Prof Janice M. Joneja Ph. D., RDN
“It has been my experience through many years of managing food allergies and intolerances that adverse reactions to corn and corn derivatives are frequently undiagnosed, and the incidence of corn allergy is greatly underestimated. Because skin tests and tests for anti-corn antibodies in blood are generally negative, the assumption that corn allergy is uncommon has been made to the detriment of many corn-sensitive individuals - usually children. As this case study demonstrates, corn allergy is an example of a food allergy that can only be successfully and accurately identified by elimination and challenge. Corn is not unique in this respect since allergy to a number of foods is often overlooked because the standard allergy tests are negative. We have to keep in mind that because of the high incidence of false negative, and sometimes false positive results, estimates of the efficacy of skin and blood tests for food allergy never exceed 50%, and many practitioners rate them even lower. Even when a positive skin or blood test indicates the presence of anti-food IgE, elimination and challenge must be undertaken to demonstrate that the food does in fact cause clinical symptoms when it is consumed. It is more than probable that factors other than the presence of IgE (and/or IgG) antibodies, and reactive immune cells in the skin, are responsible for the expression of allergy. Until science is able to elucidate the precise mechanisms responsible for all types of clinical allergy, we must rely on carefully controlled elimination and challenge to accurately identify the foods responsible for the symptoms of allergy.”
http://www.allergyadvisor.com/Educational/March04.htm
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
"A 'Roadmap' for Navigating Patient Advocacy," FDA Article
My comment to the FDA's Facebook post:
The best way to navigate patient safety is to inform all medical personnel that they MUST READ product information sheets; e.g., if a patient enters the hospital and declares they are allergic to corn, the medical staff SHOULD KNOW that IV fluid w/corn-derived dextrose CANNOT be administered to the corn-allergic patient.
...
BAXTER LABORATORIES: WARNING ABOUT USING CORN-DERIVED DEXTROSE IV FLUID ON THE CORN-ALLERGIC PATIENT
Excerpt from their product information sheet: "Solutions containing dextrose should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with known allergy to corn or corn products.” https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/016679s104,016682s105,016692s095,019367s026lbl.pdf
The best way to navigate patient safety is to inform all medical personnel that they MUST READ product information sheets; e.g., if a patient enters the hospital and declares they are allergic to corn, the medical staff SHOULD KNOW that IV fluid w/corn-derived dextrose CANNOT be administered to the corn-allergic patient.
...
BAXTER LABORATORIES: WARNING ABOUT USING CORN-DERIVED DEXTROSE IV FLUID ON THE CORN-ALLERGIC PATIENT
Excerpt from their product information sheet: "Solutions containing dextrose should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with known allergy to corn or corn products.” https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/016679s104,016682s105,016692s095,019367s026lbl.pdf
FDA's Article:
http://blogs.fda.gov/fdavoice/index.php/2016/03/a-roadmap-for-navigating-patient-advocacy/
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
Dangers of Corn NMIs (Non-Medicinal Ingredients) in Medications, Published Article
This published article addresses the dangers of corn/corn derivative NMIs (non-medicinal ingredients) in medications. I would strongly suggest that you keep this article with you at all times to present to a dismissive physicians/pharmacists falsely claiming that corn is hypoallergenic.
B . C.’ s pharmacy information source, Vol. 32 No. 3, May/June 2007
"Warning: corn-related allergens
Non-medicinal ingredients don’t appear on drug labels"
http://library.bcpharmacists.org/6_Resources/6-7_ReadLinks/ReadLinks-MayJun2007.pdf
B . C.’ s pharmacy information source, Vol. 32 No. 3, May/June 2007
"Warning: corn-related allergens
Non-medicinal ingredients don’t appear on drug labels"
http://library.bcpharmacists.org/6_Resources/6-7_ReadLinks/ReadLinks-MayJun2007.pdf
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
Monday, March 21, 2016
"Probable Anaphylactic Reaction to Corn-Derived Dextrose IV Fluid Solution," Published Report
The corn allergy community should carry a copy of this article with them at all times, since the majority of medical personnel do not believe that anyone can be allergic to dextrose (they don't understand the difference between dextrose and corn-derived dextrose).
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1808842
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1808842
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) Conducting Survey of Anaphylactic Reactions
If you or a family member are anaphylactic to corn/corn derivatives, this is a chance to share your personal story with FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education).
[On a personal note, FARE banned me from commenting on their Facebook page after I inquired about the source of their allergy statistics.]
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JNR5GKV
FARE's original Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/FoodAllergyFARE/posts/10153898841292416?fref=nf
[On a personal note, FARE banned me from commenting on their Facebook page after I inquired about the source of their allergy statistics.]
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JNR5GKV
FARE's original Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/FoodAllergyFARE/posts/10153898841292416?fref=nf
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
Published Study Addressing Psychological Disorders Associated with Food Allergies
"Teenagers with food allergies are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a new study reveals."
Patient Safety Organization (PSO) Program
The Patient Safety Organization (PSO) Program is administered through AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality), under the United States Department of Health & Human Services; and appears to be an important resource for the corn-allergic community.
The Facebook page for AHRQ is: (I messaged them 2/29/16.)
https://www.facebook.com/ahrq.gov
AHRQ Website Link:
https://pso.ahrq.gov/listed "There are 81 total PSOs in 28 states and the District of Columbia currently listed by AHRQ."
Patient Safety Organization (PSO): (Wikipedia)
"In response to a 2002 World Health Assembly Resolution, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the World Alliance for Patient Safety in October 2004. The goal was to develop standards for patient safety and assist UN member states to improve the safety of health care.[2] The Alliance raises awareness and political commitment to improve the safety of care and facilitates the development of patient safety policy and practice in all WHO Member States. Each year, the Alliance delivers a number of programmes covering systemic and technical aspects to improve patient safety around the world."
"The organizations that developed ranged from governmental to private, and some founded by industry, professional or consumer groups. Common functions of patient safety organizations are data collection and analysis, reporting, education, funding and advocacy."
"United States[edit]
On July 29, 2005, the United States Congress established guidelines for Patient Safety Organizations under the Patient Safety Quality Act of 2005.[14] The focus of the legislation is to provide incentives for clinicians to participate in voluntary initiatives to improve the outcomes of patient care, provide information about the underlying causes of errors in the delivery of health care, and to disseminate this information in order to speed the pace of improvement."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_safety_organization
The Facebook page for AHRQ is: (I messaged them 2/29/16.)
https://www.facebook.com/ahrq.gov
AHRQ Website Link:
https://pso.ahrq.gov/listed "There are 81 total PSOs in 28 states and the District of Columbia currently listed by AHRQ."
Patient Safety Organization (PSO): (Wikipedia)
"In response to a 2002 World Health Assembly Resolution, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the World Alliance for Patient Safety in October 2004. The goal was to develop standards for patient safety and assist UN member states to improve the safety of health care.[2] The Alliance raises awareness and political commitment to improve the safety of care and facilitates the development of patient safety policy and practice in all WHO Member States. Each year, the Alliance delivers a number of programmes covering systemic and technical aspects to improve patient safety around the world."
"The organizations that developed ranged from governmental to private, and some founded by industry, professional or consumer groups. Common functions of patient safety organizations are data collection and analysis, reporting, education, funding and advocacy."
"United States[edit]
On July 29, 2005, the United States Congress established guidelines for Patient Safety Organizations under the Patient Safety Quality Act of 2005.[14] The focus of the legislation is to provide incentives for clinicians to participate in voluntary initiatives to improve the outcomes of patient care, provide information about the underlying causes of errors in the delivery of health care, and to disseminate this information in order to speed the pace of improvement."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_safety_organization
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
"Parental Therapy Preferences for Children with Food Allergy," Survey Participation Request by Northwestern University
Survey Participation Request by Northwestern University:
Northwestern University is conducting an anonymous online survey: "Parental Therapy Preferences for Children with Food Allergy."
https://redcap.nubic.northwestern.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=4ECE9D3TNH
Northwestern University is conducting an anonymous online survey: "Parental Therapy Preferences for Children with Food Allergy."
https://redcap.nubic.northwestern.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=4ECE9D3TNH
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
FDA Questions & Answers for Consumers Concerning Infant Formulas
There are currently no corn-free infant formulas.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/PeopleAtRisk/ucm108079.htm
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
Filing Adverse Reaction Report with the FDA
A couple of years ago I had difficulty submitting an adverse reaction report to the FDA; since they claimed that until Congress declares corn an official allergen, companies are not required to list corn/corn derivatives on their labels. They have since become more receptive to corn-related adverse reaction reports. Remember to save packaging information in order to record the UPC code, best if used by date, and lot number; and as I just discovered recently, a photo of the product package is required (front and back of product package).
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm?action=reporting.home
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ucm059044.htm
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ucm055676.htm
http://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/complianceenforcement/adverseeventreporting/default.htm
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm?action=reporting.home
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ucm059044.htm
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ucm055676.htm
http://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/complianceenforcement/adverseeventreporting/default.htm
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
FDA Survey ("Natural" on Food Labeling): Deadline May 10, 2016
The FDA is soliciting public comments on the FDA's definition of "natural" used in foods. For the corn-allergic community, "natural" = "corn additives." The FDA has extended their deadline (May 10); therefore, if you haven't posted your comment yet, now is the time to submit your comments.
Addressing HFCS (high fructose corn syrup):
"The FDA also notes that some federal courts, as a result of litigation between private parties, have requested administrative determinations about whether food products containing ingredients produced using genetic engineering or foods containing high fructose corn syrup may be labeled natural."
http://www.foodprocessing.com/industrynews/2015/fda-extends-comment-deadline-on-natural-definition/
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm456090.htm
HOW TO COMMENT: (Docket Number FDA-2014-N-1207)
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm456090.htm#comment
Addressing HFCS (high fructose corn syrup):
"The FDA also notes that some federal courts, as a result of litigation between private parties, have requested administrative determinations about whether food products containing ingredients produced using genetic engineering or foods containing high fructose corn syrup may be labeled natural."
http://www.foodprocessing.com/industrynews/2015/fda-extends-comment-deadline-on-natural-definition/
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm456090.htm
HOW TO COMMENT: (Docket Number FDA-2014-N-1207)
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm456090.htm#comment
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
Sunday, March 20, 2016
CDC National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
My communication with the CDC (one of many): (I have since discovered that the CDC does NOT gather ANY allergy-related statistics through their in-home interviews.)
In my quest to expose the lack of accurate allergy statistics, I contacted the CDC. Apparently, one method they use to gather allergy statistics is through volunteers conducting in-home interviews. Has anyone reading this blog ever been interviewed by a volunteer from the CDC? Did they request any allergy-related information?
My inquiry to the CDC (12/29/15):
Since there are NO allergy/anaphylactic reporting requirements into any government database by allergists and/or hospitals, from where does the CDC retrieve allergy statistical data? If you retrieve this information from FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), their information is woefully inaccurate. Without a national allergy database, the lives of many innocent people are placed in danger; i.e., if they are allergic to corn-derived dextrose IV fluid or iodized salt with corn-derived dextrose, and the ingredients are not labeled as such since corn has not been declared an official allergen, thereby not subject to FDA labeling requirements. How is Congress or the CDC expected to know the dramatic increase in corn/corn derivative allergies? As an aside, try finding corn-free infant formula for newborns who are allergic to corn (some of whom are anaphylactic to corn), and many of whom have been diagnosed with "failure to thrive" by their pediatricians. Their pediatricians cannot offer ANY safe formula or alternative nutritional source for these babies, because none exist! I would like Congress to mandate that all hospitals and allergists submit allergy/anaphylactic statistics (with the offending food/drug) into a national database ("National Allergy Registry"). Without this information, all of the current allergy statistics are worthless. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
Reply from the CDC:
Dear Ms. :
The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The NHIS is a multi-stage federal survey that collects health and health-related information (morbidity data) volunteered by the U.S. public in (randomly selected) household interviews of civilian non-institutionalized persons using trained interviewers from the Census Bureau throughout the year, since 1957.
All NHIS questionnaires, available public-use data (datasets) and documentation, and reports are on-line via the NHIS web-page: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm with information about the NHIS; and for more detailed information on our procedures and how we collect data (sample design, weighting of sample data, etc.) please refer to our NHIS Methods page at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/methods.htm. Since 2013's tabulated data from our three annual Vital and Health Statistics Series 10 reports (on-line for 1997 - 2012), Summary Health Statistics for U.S.: Adults; Children; and Population has been changed to a web-tables on-line release beginning late 2015 via: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/SHS/tables.htm. {Here's the general NCHS Publications web-link as well: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products.htm.}
Since 1997, the Core (annual data collection) NHIS Sample Child (SC) (under 18 years) questionnaire asks about selected allergies (by kinds of allergy) among other questions about the child from a proxy adult respondent available; the Sample Adult (SA) questionnaire's Adult Health Status & Limitations (AHS) section has Question ID: AHS.200_00.000, Instrument Variable Name: AFLHCA asking about what condition or health problem causes you to have difficulty with {these activities} and at least one response is "Other impairment/problem (Specify one)" as allergy is not separately named in the selected condition list, and also SA's Adult Conditions (ACN) section contains some selected condition questions among other topics asked of adults (18 years or older), and also the annually (since 1997), by data year, via this link: http://www.cdc.gov/…/nh…/quest_data_related_1997_forward.htm; and all NHIS questionnaire's general link via: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/nhis_questionnaires.htm. You may also refer to the (annual) Survey Description Document (SDD) for details about a section or year's changes (including question changes) such as 2014's SDD through: http://www.cdc.gov/…/nh…/quest_data_related_1997_forward.htm, by data year.
There have been also periodic NHIS Supplements (non-annual data collections) on Child Health and also topic specific child supplements (asthma; immunization; child mental health, complementary and alternative health (including which modalities used, and most important reason for using modality among other questions), and etc.), and the Sample Adult's various supplemental topics (adult’s asthma; immunization; occupational health; occupational exposure (and effects); functioning and disability; balance; cancer; complementary and alternative medicine (including which modalities used, and most important reason for using modality among other questions), and etc.) over the years, which you can view by data year using the Co-sponsors and Supplement listing (topics) through this link: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/supplements_cosponsors.htm.
For allergy or related information, you may review the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID, NIH) content via their web-site for their information at: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/Pages/default.aspx.
We hope this helps. We thank you for your inquiry.
Sincerely,
DHHS/PHS/CDC/OSELS/NCHS/DHIS Personnel
National Health Interview Survey (1957-2007+)
Celebrating the first 50 years and beyond
In my quest to expose the lack of accurate allergy statistics, I contacted the CDC. Apparently, one method they use to gather allergy statistics is through volunteers conducting in-home interviews. Has anyone reading this blog ever been interviewed by a volunteer from the CDC? Did they request any allergy-related information?
My inquiry to the CDC (12/29/15):
Since there are NO allergy/anaphylactic reporting requirements into any government database by allergists and/or hospitals, from where does the CDC retrieve allergy statistical data? If you retrieve this information from FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), their information is woefully inaccurate. Without a national allergy database, the lives of many innocent people are placed in danger; i.e., if they are allergic to corn-derived dextrose IV fluid or iodized salt with corn-derived dextrose, and the ingredients are not labeled as such since corn has not been declared an official allergen, thereby not subject to FDA labeling requirements. How is Congress or the CDC expected to know the dramatic increase in corn/corn derivative allergies? As an aside, try finding corn-free infant formula for newborns who are allergic to corn (some of whom are anaphylactic to corn), and many of whom have been diagnosed with "failure to thrive" by their pediatricians. Their pediatricians cannot offer ANY safe formula or alternative nutritional source for these babies, because none exist! I would like Congress to mandate that all hospitals and allergists submit allergy/anaphylactic statistics (with the offending food/drug) into a national database ("National Allergy Registry"). Without this information, all of the current allergy statistics are worthless. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
Reply from the CDC:
Dear Ms. :
The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The NHIS is a multi-stage federal survey that collects health and health-related information (morbidity data) volunteered by the U.S. public in (randomly selected) household interviews of civilian non-institutionalized persons using trained interviewers from the Census Bureau throughout the year, since 1957.
All NHIS questionnaires, available public-use data (datasets) and documentation, and reports are on-line via the NHIS web-page: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm with information about the NHIS; and for more detailed information on our procedures and how we collect data (sample design, weighting of sample data, etc.) please refer to our NHIS Methods page at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/methods.htm. Since 2013's tabulated data from our three annual Vital and Health Statistics Series 10 reports (on-line for 1997 - 2012), Summary Health Statistics for U.S.: Adults; Children; and Population has been changed to a web-tables on-line release beginning late 2015 via: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/SHS/tables.htm. {Here's the general NCHS Publications web-link as well: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products.htm.}
Since 1997, the Core (annual data collection) NHIS Sample Child (SC) (under 18 years) questionnaire asks about selected allergies (by kinds of allergy) among other questions about the child from a proxy adult respondent available; the Sample Adult (SA) questionnaire's Adult Health Status & Limitations (AHS) section has Question ID: AHS.200_00.000, Instrument Variable Name: AFLHCA asking about what condition or health problem causes you to have difficulty with {these activities} and at least one response is "Other impairment/problem (Specify one)" as allergy is not separately named in the selected condition list, and also SA's Adult Conditions (ACN) section contains some selected condition questions among other topics asked of adults (18 years or older), and also the annually (since 1997), by data year, via this link: http://www.cdc.gov/…/nh…/quest_data_related_1997_forward.htm; and all NHIS questionnaire's general link via: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/nhis_questionnaires.htm. You may also refer to the (annual) Survey Description Document (SDD) for details about a section or year's changes (including question changes) such as 2014's SDD through: http://www.cdc.gov/…/nh…/quest_data_related_1997_forward.htm, by data year.
There have been also periodic NHIS Supplements (non-annual data collections) on Child Health and also topic specific child supplements (asthma; immunization; child mental health, complementary and alternative health (including which modalities used, and most important reason for using modality among other questions), and etc.), and the Sample Adult's various supplemental topics (adult’s asthma; immunization; occupational health; occupational exposure (and effects); functioning and disability; balance; cancer; complementary and alternative medicine (including which modalities used, and most important reason for using modality among other questions), and etc.) over the years, which you can view by data year using the Co-sponsors and Supplement listing (topics) through this link: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/supplements_cosponsors.htm.
For allergy or related information, you may review the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID, NIH) content via their web-site for their information at: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/Pages/default.aspx.
We hope this helps. We thank you for your inquiry.
Sincerely,
DHHS/PHS/CDC/OSELS/NCHS/DHIS Personnel
National Health Interview Survey (1957-2007+)
Celebrating the first 50 years and beyond
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
Lack of Accurate Allergy Reporting Statistics
Following is the paper I wrote addressing the lack of accurate allergy reporting statistics which I sent to 140+ members of Congress in addition to major news networks, hospitals, and universities in major metropolitan areas across the United States. The results of my own personal research exposed the fact that there are no reporting requirements by hospitals and/or physicians of allergic/anaphylactic statistics into any state or government database. Therefore, it is dangerous and irresponsible for any person, physician, or organization to declare that specific food allergies are rare; e.g., corn/corn derivatives. In fact, there is an emerging corn allergy crisis.
"After I discovered that Congress is responsible for declaring particular foods allergens, I was curious as to the source of their data; therefore, I conducted my own research. I contacted a representative with the Lee Memorial Health System and my own allergist in Fort Myers, FL, and posed the following question: Are hospitals and/or allergists required to submit allergy testing results and/or anaphylactic reactions (with the offending food/drug) into a state or government database? I was surprised to discover that there are no reporting requirements. If Congress is responsible for declaring a particular food an allergen (per the FDA); and since there is no government clearinghouse from which to gather this information, how is Congress able to make the determination as to which foods are to be declared allergens? I have contacted over a dozen government agencies, and no one knows the answer to this question.
As a result of my findings, I would like to suggest two possible resolutions for the benefit of Congress, as well as for the benefit of those suffering with allergies:
1. Establish an online database of allergy statistics, through an "Allergy Registry." This registry would be voluntary and include only allergies confirmed by physicians--not self-diagnosed--and would also include the most important statistic: anaphylactic reactions. This would be an invaluable tool for Congress in declaring foods allergens. For example, there are many corn allergy support groups. In one group, alone, the membership has increased by 321.8% in 32 months with an average of 100.6 new members/month, many of whom are anaphylactic to corn/corn derivatives, such as corn-derived dextrose IV fluids and corn-derived citric acid. How is Congress expected to know about this dramatic increase in corn allergies if there are no reporting requirements into a state or government database? The proposed "Allergy Registry" would expose this dramatic increase in corn allergies as well as provide valuable data on other allergens.
2. Request a Congressional mandate that hospitals and allergists report all allergy/anaphylactic statistics into a government database (just the statistics--no patient names for privacy purposes). Without this reporting requirement, how can Congress (the responsible body for declaring foods allergens) make an informed decision about which foods to declare as official allergens, which would then be subject to FDA labeling requirements?"
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
FDA-Approved Dyes - Are They Really Safe?
I prepared the following reply to a post by the FDA concerning dyes. For your information, I am providing a link for each dye through Wikipedia and drugs.com (if used as an inactive ingredient):
FD&C Blue No. 1
Wikipedia: "It is a synthetic dye produced using aromatic hydrocarbons from petroleum." (Since I'm anaphylactic to petroleum/petrolatum, this is one dye I must avoid at all costs.) "It has the capacity for inducing allergic reactions in individuals with pre-existing moderate asthma. In 2003, the U.S. FDA issued a public health advisory to warn health care providers of the potential toxicity of this synthetic dye in enteral feeding solutions." (This explains my acute respiratory distress.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brilliant_Blue_FCF
http://www.drugs.com/inactive/fd-c-blue-no-1-244.html
FD&C Blue No. 2
Wikipedia: "However, the dye can cause a potentially dangerous increase in blood pressure in some cases." "Indigo carmine is harmful to the respiratory tract if inhaled. It is also an irritant to the skin and eyes. Proper laboratory cautions (lab coat, gloves, goggles) are advised."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigo_carmine
http://www.drugs.com/…/fd-c-blue-no-2-aluminium-lake-254.ht…
FD&C Green No. 3
"Fast Green FCF is poorly absorbed by the intestines.[1] Its use as a food dye is prohibited in European Union and some other countries. It can be used for tinned green peas and other vegetables, jellies, sauces, fish, desserts, and dry bakery mixes at level of up to 100 mg/kg.[2] In the United States, Fast Green FCF is the least used of the seven main FDA approved dyes." "This substance has been found to have tumorigenic effects in experimental animals, as well as mutagenic effects in both experimental animals and humans. It furthermore risks irritation of eyes, skin, digestive tract, and respiratory tract in its undiluted form.[3]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_Green_FCF
http://www.drugs.com/inactive/fd-c-green-no-3-252.html
Orange B
Wikipedia: "In 1978, the FDA proposed removing it from the list due to concerns about the presence of carcinogenic contaminants (specifically 2-Naphthylamine). The only supplier in the United States, the William J. Stange Company, subsequently stopped manufacturing it and it was never removed from the list.[2]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_B…
Citrus Red No. 2
Wikipedia: "Citrus Red 2 is listed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a group 2B carcinogen, a substance "possibly carcinogenic to humans".[4]" "In the United States, Citrus Red 2 is sometimes used to color oranges. It is only permitted to be used on the peel. It is permitted when the fruit is intended to be eaten, but is not permitted when the fruit is intended or used for processing, for example to manufacture orange juice.[2] It is used on some oranges from the US state of Florida but is banned in the US states of California and Arizona. It has been linked to health risks in studies using rats and mice [5]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrus_Red_2
FD&C Red No. 3
Wikipedia: "As a result of efforts begun in the 1970s, in 1990 the U.S. FDA had instituted a partial ban on erythrosine, citing research that high doses have been found to cause cancer in rats.[6] In June 2008, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) petitioned the FDA for a complete ban on erythrosine in the United States.[7]
A series of toxicology tests combined with a review of other reported studies concluded that erythrosine is non-genotoxic and the above-mentioned increase in tumors is caused by a non-genotoxic mechanism.[8] A 1990 study concluded that "chronic erythrosine ingestion may promote thyroid tumor formation in rats via chronic stimulation of the thyroid by TSH." [9]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythrosine
http://www.drugs.com/inactive/fd-c-red-no-3-247.html
FD&C Red No. 40
Wikipedia: "The study found "a possible link between the consumption of these artificial colours and a sodium benzoate preservative and increased hyperactivity" in the children;[5][7] the advisory committee to the FSA that evaluated the study also determined that because of study limitations, the results could not be extrapolated to the general population, and further testing was recommended".[5]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allura_Red_AC
http://www.drugs.com/inactive/fd-c-red-no-40-251.html
FD&C Yellow No. 5
Wikipedia: "Tartrazine appears to cause the most allergic and intolerance reactions of all the azo dyes, particularly among asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.[8]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartrazine
http://www.drugs.com/inactive/fd-c-yellow-no-5-250.html
FD&C Yellow No. 6
Wikipedia: "The study found "a possible link between the consumption of these artificial colours and a sodium benzoate preservative and increased hyperactivity" in the children;[12][15] the advisory committee to the FSA that evaluated the study also determined that because of study limitations, the results could not be extrapolated to the general population, and further testing was recommended".[12]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunset_Yellow_FCF
http://www.drugs.com/inactive/fd-c-yellow-no-6-249.html
FDA's original post:
https://www.facebook.com/FDA/posts/10153995418707299?notif_t=notify_me_page
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
"Journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology," Published Corn Allergy Study
Published Corn Allergy Study:
Please present this article to physicians who falsely claim that corn is hypoallergenic.
Please present this article to physicians who falsely claim that corn is hypoallergenic.
Result of Maize food allergy: a double-blind placebo-controlled study, published in Journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 38:12 2008 Dec pg 1943-9:
"CONCLUSION
Maize is a cause of IgE-mediated allergic reactions to foods in adults and children. Nearly half of the subjects recruited were confirmed by challenge to be allergic to maize. Twenty-three percent of the positive challenge patients manifested symptoms that involved two organ systems, thus fulfilling the criteria for maize induced anaphylaxis. Maize is allergenic and can pose a risk for symptomatic food allergy at a dose of 100 mg."
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
"Thermo Scientific," Published Corn Allergy Study
This is one of the most comprehensive scientific papers I have read concerning corn allergies, presented in "Thermo Scientific." Please present this article to physicians who falsely claim that corn is hypoallergenic.
Important Excerpts:
"Zea m 14, a lipid transfer protein, has also been isolated from Maize flour. Skin reactivity and IgE antibodies to this allergen were detected in 19 of 22 patients (86%) with systemic symptoms following the ingestion of Maiz...e, confirming this as the Maize major allergen . . ."
"IgE-mediated reactions
Maize may moderately often sensitise or induce symptoms of food allergy in sensitised individuals (7,15,31,34-37). Allergic symptoms reported have included abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, rhinitis, asthma, angioedema, atopic dermatitis, and anaphylaxis."
"Maize has been implicated as one of the causative foods of eosinophilic esophagitis, a disorder with symptoms suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux disease but unresponsive to conventional reflux therapies (58)."
http://www.phadia.com/en/Products/Allergy-testing-products/ImmunoCAP-Allergen-Information/Food-of-Plant-Origin/Grains/MaizeCorn/
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
Physician/Surgeon Associations
(REVISED 3/15/18)
Most physicians are not familiar with corn/corn derivative allergies. I would use these resources to share your personal testimonies in an effort to educate the medical community, and to advocate for your own personal safety. As part of my corn allergy awareness initiative, I contacted the following physician/surgeon professional associations (my message to them appears at the end of this article). The corn-allergic community has had to assume the role of educator far too often; therefore, I sent these associations critical corn allergy articles with corresponding references for their information.
PHYSICIANS/SURGEONS ASSOCIATIONS:
American College of Emergency Physicians, @ACEPNow
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, @AAPSonline
March 15, 2018:
I shared the following blog links with these organizations:
January, 2016:
EMERGING MAIZE ALLERGY CRISIS:
I am a corn allergy advocate; and it has come to my attention that too often the corn-allergic patient is treated with disrespect and disbelief when visiting the ER (they are advocating for their own safety). Please understand that the use of IV fluid with corn-derived dextrose can be fatal, particularly if the patient is anaphylactic to corn/corn derivatives (this also includes iodized salt with corn-derived dextrose). In addition, most corn-allergic patients must have their medications compounded; since corn/corn derivatives are found in nearly all medications (even in OTC Benadryl). There is an emerging corn allergy crisis, and it is imperative that the medical community educate themselves about this potentially fatal allergy. It's bad enough that the corn-allergic patient must supply their own safe, corn-free foods while hospitalized; since hospitals are ill-equipped to nourish them. In addition, there are currently no corn-free formulas for corn-allergic infants, many of whom have been diagnosed with "failure to thrive" due to the lack of corn-free nutrition. Even their doctors have no recommendations for parents as to how to safely nourish these children. I strongly urge your medical staff to read the information provided in the following references. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1808842
Most physicians are not familiar with corn/corn derivative allergies. I would use these resources to share your personal testimonies in an effort to educate the medical community, and to advocate for your own personal safety. As part of my corn allergy awareness initiative, I contacted the following physician/surgeon professional associations (my message to them appears at the end of this article). The corn-allergic community has had to assume the role of educator far too often; therefore, I sent these associations critical corn allergy articles with corresponding references for their information.
PHYSICIANS/SURGEONS ASSOCIATIONS:
American College of Emergency Physicians, @ACEPNow
March 15, 2018:
I shared the following blog links with these organizations:
My February 25,
2018, Letter to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Re: mandate
that hospitals stock corn-free foods, fluids, & drugs for the safety of
corn-allergic patients.
My Submission to The
Joint Commission
Corn Allergy
Statistics (Monthly)
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2017/04/corn-allergy-statistics-monthly.htmlJanuary, 2016:
EMERGING MAIZE ALLERGY CRISIS:
I am a corn allergy advocate; and it has come to my attention that too often the corn-allergic patient is treated with disrespect and disbelief when visiting the ER (they are advocating for their own safety). Please understand that the use of IV fluid with corn-derived dextrose can be fatal, particularly if the patient is anaphylactic to corn/corn derivatives (this also includes iodized salt with corn-derived dextrose). In addition, most corn-allergic patients must have their medications compounded; since corn/corn derivatives are found in nearly all medications (even in OTC Benadryl). There is an emerging corn allergy crisis, and it is imperative that the medical community educate themselves about this potentially fatal allergy. It's bad enough that the corn-allergic patient must supply their own safe, corn-free foods while hospitalized; since hospitals are ill-equipped to nourish them. In addition, there are currently no corn-free formulas for corn-allergic infants, many of whom have been diagnosed with "failure to thrive" due to the lack of corn-free nutrition. Even their doctors have no recommendations for parents as to how to safely nourish these children. I strongly urge your medical staff to read the information provided in the following references. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1808842
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
@CornAllergy911
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