A newly designed Epipen is now available, with "enhanced usability."
 
The new design features a flip-top carrying case, blue safety release cap, integrated instructions, and an orange-colored needle tip with needle protection.  The instructions tell you to "swing and firmly push" the orange tip into the outer thigh. 

See the new Epipen here:  http://epipen.com/pdf/EP9532_TEARSHEET_DR.pdf
 
 
Starting in June 2009, Betty Crocker introduced four gluten-free baking mixes:  Brownie, Cookie, Devil's Food, and Yellow Cake.  All of these mixes are made in dedicated gluten-free facilities. 

Find more information on their site here:  http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/gluten-free/gluten-free.htm
 
 
Thank you to everyone who raised money and braved the soggy weather to come out to the Detroit-area FAAN walk on October 3.  We were still able to raise awareness, show kids and their families that they are not alone, and create connections among our families.  That is the best payoff!

We look forward to seeing you next year!
 
 
OK - this is a little bit of tooting one's own horn.  Here are the links to a CNN story about the importance of having to carry an Epipen with you everywhere because of food allergies. 

Story:  http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/04/food.allergies.bees.epipen/index.html

Video:  below
 
 

Save the Date--

The Michigan FAAN Walk will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 at Kensington Metropark. 

More information can be found at www.foodallergywalk.org.

 
 

As a result of their merger with Delta (based in peanut-friendly Georgia), Northwest Airlines is again serving packs of peanuts as of Feb. 1, 2009. 

Please give Northwest Airlines your feedback on this decision at: 

http://www.nwa.com/talk/ttu.html

 
 

From the Winter 2008 issue of "Allergic Living" magazine, click here for a chart comparing the allergy policies of major airline carriers.

From: www.allergicliving.com 

Remember that policies change.  It is best to directly contact the airline for the most recent information.

 
 

The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) today named Julia E. Bradsher, Ph.D., as its new CEO, replacing Founder Anne Muñoz-Furlong, who is retiring.

For the past six years, as Senior Director of Marketing, she led the marketing team and strategic planning for all Dey Pharmaceutical products, including EpiPen®, an autoinjector device containing epinephrine, a drug that can stop an anaphylactic reaction.

Anne Muñoz-Furlong, FAAN’s Founder and CEO for its first 18 years, said, “We have been searching for someone who can provide the intellectual leadership and the compassion for the families affected by food allergy and anaphylaxis. Julia has both and will lead FAAN into the next phase of its growth.”

 
 

Come to one of the free screenings of the newly-released documentary, "I'm Not Nuts: Living with Food Allergies," by Flint, Michigan filmmaker Kevin Lindenmuth.

   Nov. 15 at 6:30pm in Birmingham, MI

   Dec. 6 at 4:00pm in Ypsilanti, MI.

For more information about the screening schedule, click here.

For more information about the film, visit www.lindenmuth.com.

 
 

How do you feel about the state of food allergy warning labels on food today?  Confusing? Misleading?  Truthful?  How do the labels "may contain..." or "made in the same facility as..." affect your purchasing decisions?

The FDA is holding a public hearing, and asking for the public's comments on this topic. Read the document here. 

Submit electronic comments to http://www.regulations.gov,

or go directly to the comment submission page at: http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=SubmitComment&o=09000064806b7555

Submit written comments to:  Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305),  Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.