FAACT's Roundtable

Summer can bring unique challenges for people living with Mast Cell Disease. From heat and travel to outdoor activities, how can you enjoy the season while managing symptoms? Join us as we sit down with content creator and patient advocate, Jenna Gestetner, to share practical tips for navigating summer with confidence. 

Resources to keep you in the know:

• Mast Cell Disease Society
• FAACT's Allergy Summit
• JennaXHealth
• Instagram: J...

We’re checking in with the FPIES community to hear what’s new, what’s changing, and what families need to know right now. Joining us is Fallon Schultz, CEO of the International FPIES Association, who’s here to share exciting updates, recent advances, and the incredible work happening behind the scenes. We’ll also take a closer look at their robust resource library—packed with practical tools for ...

Finding trustworthy, evidence-based information about food allergies can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re trying to make informed decisions for yourself or your child. So how do you know what’s reliable, and how can you use that information to have meaningful conversations with your healthcare team?

We’re joined by Dr. Manisha Relan, member of FAACT’s Medical Advisory Board, to help guide us thr...

Managing food allergies already comes with a cost—and for many families, that can add up to thousands of extra dollars each year when you factor in groceries, medical care, and time. With rising food prices, it’s no wonder the stress can feel even heavier.

But there are ways to make it work. We’re sitting down with FAACT Medical Advisory Board Member and Registered Dietitian, Alison Cassin, to share practical, nutr...

Safe eating is at the heart of managing food allergies—but what happens when that vigilance starts to feel overwhelming, and food becomes a source of fear instead of nourishment? For many families, the line between necessary caution and something more serious can be hard to recognize. We are diving into the intersection of food allergies and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, or ARFID. Joining us is Dr. Brian Vickery,...

This year, FAACT’s Food Allergy Awareness Month campaign is “Invisible No More: Food allergies may be unseen, but they should never be unnoticed.”

It’s a powerful reminder that while food allergies aren’t always visible, the daily effort to stay safe is very real.

So how do we raise awareness for something we can’t always see—and better support one another along the way?

To help us shine a lig...

Food Allergy Awareness Month is almost here—and it’s our moment to be seen, heard, and understood. This year, FAACT is launching an exciting new campaign, 'Invisible No More', shining a light on the reality that food allergies may be unseen, but they are very real. We’re sitting down with FAACT’s Director of Marketing, Lisa Horne, to share how you can get involved and help bring this message to life in your ...

Every summer, FAACT’s Camp TAG (The Allergy Gang) brings campers, teens, non-allergic siblings, and families living with food allergies, eosinophilic disorders, asthma, FPIES, and Celiac disease, together for fun, confidence-building, and hands-on learning in a safe, supportive space.

Molly Dow and her daughters, Emily and Ellie, join us to share what Camp TAG has meant to their family. You'll get a sneak peek into the heartwa...

Navigating college with food allergies can feel overwhelming—from choosing a school and touring campuses to move-in day and staying safe once you’re there. It’s a big transition, with added layers of responsibility.

That’s why FAACT created a College Resource Center, built from real questions our community is asking—such as what to ask on tours, how to set up accommodations, what to do when things don&r...

What do you do when your child has that first allergic reaction—and your allergist appointment is still weeks, maybe even months, away? That in-between time can feel overwhelming, with so many questions and not enough answers. We’re sitting down with FAACT Medical Advisory Board Member, Dr. Justin Greiwe, to walk through practical steps families can take right now to stay safe, feel more confident, and navigate this unc...

This episode is all about inspiration. We’re shining a spotlight on a remarkable young woman who is using her voice and platform to make a meaningful impact in the food allergy community. We’re honored to welcome FAACT’s newest National Spokesperson, Tess Ferm, Miss America’s Teen 2026! Tess joins us to share her personal food allergy journey and why educating others and raising awareness has become such a p...

The dietary management of food allergies includes identifying the allergen that triggers a reaction and avoiding foods that contain that allergen. As a result, children with dietary restrictions due to food allergies may be at risk for inadequate nutritional intake. We sat down with Andie Lee Gonzalez, Senior Pediatric Medical Science Liaison with Abbott Nutrition Medical Affairs and Research, who describes the role of specialized ...

Traveling with food allergies happens every day for thousands of families. But as many of us know, travel takes planning—and even the best plans don’t always go the way we expect. Flights get delayed, restaurants change menus, and sometimes we’re asked to make quick decisions in unfamiliar places. So how do we prepare not just our travel plans, but also our mindset? How do we build the confidence and coping skills...

Our guest, Steven Gendel, PhD, brings more than 30 years of experience in food safety science, regulation, and policy. From a manufacturer’s perspective, we’ll unpack the real-world differences between gluten and wheat, how food processing works, and the role processing aids can play. Together, we’ll explore what all of this means for managing allergies and making safer, more confident choices when shopping.

Resour...

This year, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI)/World Allergy Organization (WAO) Joint Congress was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, centered on the theme 'Advancing Precision Medicine from Discovery to Patient Care'. While these meetings are filled with complex research and new developments, what matters most to patients and families is what it all means for their daily life with food allergies. Joini...

The holiday season is a time for laughter, togetherness, and creating special memories. But for families managing food allergies, it can also bring unique challenges—extra planning, heightened stress, and the worry of staying safe during celebrations. In this episode, we’re talking about how to balance the joy of the season with the realities of food allergy management. We’re joined by licensed psychologist, Amand...

It's often said that the food on the Hanukkah table is more than just a meal—it's a powerful vehicle for storytelling, education, and a communal celebration of faith and resilience. But how do we bridge the gap between embracing those rich cultural traditions and keeping all our loved ones with food allergies safe and included? We’re tackling that crucial question. We are so pleased to welcome food allergy advocates and...

We all know the teen brain is still growing and changing—and that means it doesn’t always think or act like an adult brain. The teen years are full of discovery, independence, and yes, a bit of risk-taking. But what happens when you add food allergies into the mix? How do brain development and decision-making affect how teens manage their safety and choices?

To help us unpack this fascinating topic, we’re joined by...

Living with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) requires constant awareness and preparation—but what happens when you hit the road or board a plane? We’re joined by content creator and patient advocate, Jenna Gestetner, who’s sharing her top strategies and favorite tips for traveling safely and confidently with MCAS. 

Resources to keep you in the know:

• Mast Cell Disease Society
• FAACT's Allergy Summit
• Je...