Family launches a foundation to respond to flaws in the Food Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004

Eat, Learn, Live (ELL) is created to make a difference in the food laws and school programs designed to protect severely allergenic children.

GENEVA, IL – July 15, 2008 – Kathleen Silverman announces the launch of Eat, Learn, Live (ELL), a not-for-profit foundation created to better protect children with severe food allergies. For parents, raising a child with food allergies and anaphylaxis is personal. The Silverman’s decision to create a foundation came quickly after their food allergenic son, Tyler, experienced an anaphylactic reaction following the consumption of a mislabeled product. The product was marketed as a soy-based frozen desert by a leading manufacturer of dairy-free products. As was later evidenced through independent laboratory testing, the food item did in fact contain milk protein, one of the foods to which their son has a life-threatening allergy.

The Food Allergy Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, an act that requires manufacturers to identify the top food allergens in their product, does not impose penalties on those manufacturers not adhering to the law. Unfortunately, there is very little recourse available to families negatively impacted by inaccurate labeling. The Silverman’s came to this realization the hard way.

ELL was created to support the right of every child with food allergies and anaphylaxis to live a safer life without the risk of mislabeled food products. It will be working with lawmakers, manufacturers and consumers in an attempt to ensure that the labeling laws are being adhered to and sanctions are imposed on those who do not.

ELL also supports the right of every child to a safe learning environment; one in which universal guidelines dictate how our allergenic children are safeguarded while at school. By managing a network of consultants, ELL will further educate and train school personnel on dealing with food allergies and support the adoption of legislature to establish consistent nationwide policies and procedures to respond to the growing population of students with food allergies.

“We are thrilled with the opportunity to represent the millions of children unable to stand up for their rights. How can it ever be acceptable for a child’s life to be threatened by eating store bought foods or by attending school?” states Kathleen Silverman.

In addition, the foundation markets SAFE-TY Zone products, a line of items designed to better protect children with food allergies. Specific products include the book entitled “The Party is at the Safe House!” a unique guide to entertaining when food allergies exist and “Grippies”, theme-based gloves to provide additional protection against inadvertent contact with allergenic contaminants.

On July 16, 2008, ELL will be formally celebrating its launch at the Kane County Cougars’ “peanut-free night.”

ELL invites anyone wishing to obtain more information about ELL or SAFE-TY ZONE to call
630-262-1154.