<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Good Morning List Mates. I have still to receive three of my messages that I sent out previously. I thought the messages might be helpful for some people when writing to their congress persons. I am resending them this morning. This is part of my original Part 3 post. Sorry if there is any confusion. I am sharing the following information from Andrea Slevario < [log in to unmask] (ASL)> that was sent to the List and/or to me personally. Subj: FDA to Inspect for Allergens Date: 6/27/01 6:09:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time Earlier this week the "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, hoping to reduce the number of incidents of allergic reactions to food, plans to inspect up to 6,000 food and candy plants for potential allergens over the next two years." The importance of such an announcement to those with CD goes without saying. However, please be aware, that the FDA sits in the most precarious position in the world of government agencies. They have the responsibility to ensure that drugs, devices (pacemakers), and dietary supplements which make it to market are safe, and do what they purport to do. They also are responsible for inspecting imported foods, regulating information on food labels, and inspect imported foods. While being tasked to ensure the safety of all these things (and more) for the consuming public, the agency's budget is in dire straits. It does NOT have the funds to carry out the functions already tasked to them. When accounting for inflation, their budget has decreased over the past several years. When you write your members of Congress about labeling for those additional allergens, make a plea for funding for FDA to carry out the additional tasks! Andrea Thank you to everyone who is working so hard to get the food labeling improved. Submitted by: Nancy Seattle, WA USA