FAACT's Roundtable

Earlier this month, more than 2,500 allergists and healthcare professionals gathered in Orlando, Florida, for the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology—better known as ACAAI. It’s one of the biggest events of the year where experts share the latest research, treatments, and guidelines in allergy and immunology. We’re thrilled to be joined by this year’s keynote...

The holidays are here—and that means airports, carry-ons, and crowded flights. But for those managing food allergies, air travel comes with extra challenges that require thoughtful preparation and a bit of attentiveness. Joining us today is airline correspondent, safety advocate, and founder of The No Nut Traveler , Lianne Mandelbaum . Lianne has been a leading voice for safer skies for passengers...

You’ve probably heard of Oral Immunotherapy—or OIT—a treatment that’s gaining attention in the food allergy world. But what’s it really like to go through the process? Many families discover there’s more to OIT than they expected. To help unpack the basics and offer clarity, we’re talking with allergist, Dr. Brian Vickery , about what to know before beginning this journey.  Resources to keep you i...

Just like with food allergies, there are other conditions where avoiding certain foods is essential. One of those is Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease, or EGID. To help us better understand this complex condition, we’re joined today by Melissa Sauter —an advocate, parent, and Founder of Eosinophilic Parents of Utah. Melissa brings both personal experience and deep knowledge, and her positive o...

As kids, we often rely on our families to help keep us safe from allergens. But what happens when you’re an adult heading out to restaurants, clubs, or Halloween parties? Today we’re joined by Food Allergy Content Creator, Influencer, and Sarah and Spices founder, Sarah Danna, who’s here to share practical tips for staying safe while still having a fun, worry-free Halloween. Resources to keep you...

Even the most experienced patients and caregivers can sometimes become a little too comfortable when it comes to managing epinephrine. Over time, it’s easy to overlook key details or forget important steps. To help everyone stay sharp and fully prepared, renowned allergist, Dr. Michael Pistiner, joins us to talk all things epinephrine. Think of this conversation as both a refresher and a quick sel...

Anaphylaxis can happen to anyone, at any time — but when it comes to infants and toddlers, the signs, symptoms, and response can feel especially overwhelming. Do reactions look the same as in older children or adults? What about emergency steps and epinephrine dosing? To bring clarity and confidence to caregivers and the food allergy community, we’re joined today by renowned allergist, Dr. Michael...

Halloween should be all about treats—whether that’s non-food goodies or allergy-friendly sweets—without the scary surprises. Joining us is FAACT advocate, No Nuts Mom’s Group Los Angeles Leader, and Allergic Living contributor, Ashley Smith , who’s here to share wickedly fun school ideas and tips for creating a safe, old-fashioned Halloween everyone can enjoy.  Resources to keep you in the know: F...

A new food allergy diagnosis—whether it’s your own or a loved one’s—can feel overwhelming. What many people need most in those early days are practical, real-world tips to make life feel manageable again. We’re joined by FAACT-recognized support group leader, physician's assistant, and advocate, Charity Luiskutty , who shares down-to-earth advice for those newly diagnosed, as well as smart re...

We are joined by Carina Venter, PhD — gut diversity expert, researcher, and registered dietitian—to unpack how gut health influences people living with food allergies. She’ll also share insights on using everyday foods as a powerful tool to help prevent food allergies in infants. Resources to keep you in the know: FAACT's Latest Research of Food Allergy Prevention FAACT's What to Do to P...

Making sure kids get the nutrition they need is always important—but for families managing food allergies, it can feel especially challenging when safe food options are limited. We’re joined by FAACT Medical Advisory Board Member, Owner of ALnourished, and Registered Dietitian, Alison Cassin, MS, RD, LD, to talk about how to meet essential nutritional needs, smart ways to swap ingredients, and whe...

Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) represents one of the most promising treatments for individuals living with food allergies. Yet, beyond clinical studies, the true story lies in what families experience every day while undergoing OIT. Joining us is FAACT’s Medical Advisory Board Director and board-certified allergist, Dr. Shahzad Mustafa , who will help us explore OIT in everyday life — from its practical...

Children in early childhood education programs are among the youngest and most vulnerable when it comes to food allergies. To address this critical gap, a dedicated group of professionals created the Early Childhood Anaphylaxis Collaborative. Today, we’re joined by Thomas Silvera —founder of the Elijah-Alavi Foundation and a founding partner of the Collaborative, as is FAACT's CEO, Eleanor Ga...

In our last conversation with Amanda Whitehouse, PhD , she shared her mission of helping patients and caregivers move beyond food allergy anxiety, fear, and trauma so they can truly live whole and joyful lives. She also touched on the fascinating role the nervous system plays in that healing process. Today, we’re joined by licensed psychologist, Dr. Whitehouse , who’s here to take us on a deeper d...

Food allergy accommodations don’t stop at the classroom door—they extend into workplaces, public spaces, and even stadiums. But what rights do you actually have? Today, we’re joined by FAACT’s General Counsel, Amelia Smith, JD , to break it all down and help you understand your civil rights. Resources to keep you in the know: FAACT's Accommodations Resource Center FAACT's Civil Rights Ad...

FAACT’s Vice President of Inclusion Initiatives, Aleasa Word , recently wrote a powerful piece reminding us that no two people experience food allergies the same way. We’re honored to have Aleasa with us to explore a fresh perspective—one that not only captures the lived experience of food allergies, but also sparks greater empathy, awareness, and understanding in the communities around us. Resour...

After the heartbreaking loss of their son Oakley, his family turned their grief into action—founding Red Sneakers for Oakley , a nonprofit that has since grown into a powerful movement dedicated to saving lives through food allergy education and awareness. Today, we’re joined by Executive Director, Lindsey Spangler, to learn more about this inspiring organization, the programs making a difference,...

After her daughter Adina suffered a serious allergic reaction to a medication containing her allergen, one family decided to take action. Today, we’ll hear from Adina’s mom and food allergy advocate, Jennifer Toga l, about the proposed federal legislation named in her honor — the ADINA Act. We’ll explore what this bill means for allergy communities nationwide… and how you can join the movement. Re...

We’re joined by Betsy Craig , CEO and founder of MenuTrinfo and creator of the first Certified Free From Allergen Program. Learn how her groundbreaking work is making food shopping safer and more transparent for those with allergies. Resources to keep you in the know: Certified Free From Allergen Certification Program CFF Approved Products (SKU's) - Product Finder CFF Trusted Brands  Request...

Living with food allergies can be overwhelming—but it doesn't have to control your life. In this episode, licensed psychologist Amanda Whitehouse, PhD, shares practical tools to manage food allergy anxiety and trauma. Learn how to help you or your family feel safe, confident, and empowered every day. Resources to keep you in the know: Amanda Whitehouse, PhD - Website Don’t Feed the Fear Podca...

If your student is exploring colleges—or you’re just starting to look ahead—you’re in the right place. Today, Caroline Moassessi , FAACT's VP of Community Relations, will talk about starting the college search when food allergies are in the mix. She'll share two essential checklists from FAACT's College Resource Center—one for parents and one for students—to help you work together a...

We're exploring FAACT's College Resource Center to show you how to make the most of everything it offers. FAACT's Vice President of Community Relations, Caroline Moassessi, will discuss how you can help your student explore college options and prepare to start—or return to—college life. But we’re not just talking about packing bags and picking dorms. We’re tackling the critical, oft...

It is back-to-school time, and we’re sitting down with FAACT’s General Counsel and VP of Civil Rights Advocacy, Amelia G. Smith, JD, to explore the basics of accommodations and how to prepare for the path to success. She will cover why accommodations are essential while providing must-know tips! Resources to keep you in the know: FAACT’s Accommodations Resource Center FAACT's Civil Rights Adv...

There are times when we must face hard and often stressful health-related food allergy situations, such as oral food challenges, immunotherapy, using epinephrine, and at-home self-administration of treatments. Although the outcomes may be excellent, we need extra tools to tackle these situations. We are privileged to learn more from  Lisa Lombard, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist and former R...

Influencer, content creator, and founder of xHealth Studio, Jenna Gestetner, shares how she tackles sharing her personal health information while fulfilling her goal of helping others. Jenna authentically shares her life with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) , food allergies, and autoimmune disorders. Resources to keep you in the know: JennaXHe...