As two students living with severe gluten allergies (with my friend being celiac), we have repeatedly experienced distressing health episodes due to the lackadaisical approach of the Faculty Student Association (FSA) towards allergy safety. Our most recent incident was due to the lack of transparency between certified gluten-free versus gluten-friendly foods, which resulted in severe illness after ordering catering for an event. Previous attempts to raise our concerns were met with indifference and lack of accountability. This is not only unacceptable, but also life-threatening for those like my friend, who is celiac, and others with serious food allergies.

I live off campus because of the food concerns on this campus. Living in Fredonia is unsustainable for me and I often lack nutrition and needed extra financial assistance to supply myself with food that has no gluten. FSA has communicated that they have plans to make gluten-free accommodations more accessible, but we cannot simply wait for accommodations.

This issue extends beyond just us. According to FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), there's an estimated 32 million Americans with food allergies, and studies have shown that 15 million of them are at risk of anaphylaxis (WYSS Institute). This does not include allergies that result in inflammatory/digestive issues. Not following clear and defined allergy guidelines puts people’s lives at risk, and it is time for the FSA to take their responsibilities seriously, which includes providing safer meals and diligently preventing cross-contamination. 

We boldly call for a firm step-up in food safety standards and stringent adherence to allergy guidelines. A refusal to make the necessary changes compromises the health and wellbeing of all food-allergic students. Our plea is for the FSA to provide clear food allergen information, champion best practices for reducing cross-contamination, and ensure access to safer meals for all students. Sign this petition to support us in urging the Faculty Student Association to prioritize the health and safety of its students with food allergies.