"Ask Before You Eat" serves to raise public awareness and educate the public as well as a wide range of individuals, schools, public agencies, and business that work with and provide services to children, about the need for food allergy risk management. Although food allergies affect the entire population, children are its most vulnerable victims. Approximately 3 million children have a food allergy including 1 in every 17 children under the age of three.

Among school children who have allergies, 84% will experience a reaction while attending school. Based on this concern, the First Lady Patricia Blagojevich announced that the focus of the public awareness campaign is directed toward all educational facilities, including child care facilities, community learning centers, public and private primary and secondary schools. In addition, various facilities or organizations serving children such as after-school organizations, park districts, libraries, and social clubs will be included in this effort.

This campaign comes in support of current legislation efforts by both the U.S. Congress and the Illinois legislature. The U.S. Congress is considering legislation (HR 2653), to establish school-based food allergies management grants available to local educational agencies to assist with implementation of voluntary food management guidelines. The Illinois legislature is considering House Bill, 5338, which will require the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Health to develop guidelines for the management of students with life threatening food allergies and make these guidelines available to all Illinois school boards.

"Ask Before You Eat" will promote public awareness through a new brochure, promotional wristbands for children and adults, posters, print and web-based advertisements. With support from the Illinois Departments of Public Health, Illinois Children and Family Services and the Illinois State Board of Education, outreach to schools, communities and the food service industry will begin at the National Restaurant Association convention later this month and will continue at over 25 events, fairs and festivals over the coming year. Awareness efforts will also target childcare centers, community learning centers, park districts, summer camps and after-school programs.

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