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\\u201cThe Coconut Coalition of the Americas was founded in order to fight the negative perceptions of coconuts resulting from false reports.\\u201d

Traci Kantowski (2:35 - 2:45)

Traci Kantowski, of the Coconut Coalition of the Americas (CCA), has over eighteen years of marketing communications experience in corporate and non-profit sectors. She\\u2019s leading the CCA\\u2019s communication efforts to develop educational materials, promote the organization throughout social media, conduct media outreach.\\xa0

The Coconut Coalition of the Americas

The Coconut Coalition of the Americas (CCA) consists of coconut manufacturers, growers, and various other stakeholders. Its purpose is\\xa0 to combat the negative perceptions that result from false reports about health risks. The CCA is currently focused on removing coconuts from the FDA\\u2019s list of major food allergens.\\xa0

They educate the public about the numerous health benefits of coconuts and coconut oil. Coconut water is delicious, and it\\u2019s rich in electrolytes needed for hydration. Coconut oil is a healthy source of dietary fat, low in calories, and can add flavor to most of your meals.\\xa0

What\\u2019s So Great About Coconuts?

Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which can kill harmful bacteria and viruses. Coconut also promotes healthy cholesterol levels, and it might support brain health. If that wasn\\u2019t enough, you could use it topically for healthy, supple skin. So, why does the CCA need to fight negative perceptions about coconuts?

The FDA\\u2019s Major Food Allergens List and FALCPA

The FDA identified the foods that are responsible for 90 percent of the food allergies that people have. Things like milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and others.\\xa0

In August 2004, they enacted the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) to help consumers avoid these foods.\\xa0

\\u201cThe biggest thing hurting the produce industry is a perpetual state of consumer confusion. Sometimes, we can\\u2019t even get the labeling right to identify food items correctly.\\u201d - Lori Taylor (8:14 - 8:42)

The FALCPA is a critical resource for many people that live with food allergies because they have no cure, and the health consequences can be severe.

Coconuts have been wrongly classified as tree nuts. In fact, they\\u2019re in a similar category as cherries, plums, and many others.

This has had a cascading effect on consumers and manufacturers of coconut products. Even if a coconut product doesn\\u2019t contain tree nuts, manufacturers of products that contain coconut still have to mention that it includes tree nuts in the labeling. As a result, people with tree nut allergies avoid coconuts.\\xa0

Manufacturers may avoid using coconuts so they don\\u2019t have to avoid mentioning tree nuts on their labels. They might use palm oil, which has more calories and is less beneficial to health than coconut oil.

There may be some individuals who have minor allergic reactions to coconuts, but that\\u2019s no different from other fruits. Some people have allergies strawberries, watermelons, bananas, and other common fruits. But, most people who have tree nut allergies can safely consume coconuts and enjoy the health benefits they provide.\\xa0

What the CCA is Doing to Update the FALCPA

The CCA is focused on spreading the message that coconuts aren\\u2019t tree nuts. They\'re\\xa0 working with allergen advocacy groups to set the record straight about coconuts.

But, the most significant project they\\u2019ve undertaken is the Allergen project. It\\u2019s a citizen petition to remove coconuts from the FDA list of allergens. It\\u2019s also one of the best ways to get the FDA\\u2019s attention because they\\u2019re legally required to respond to citizen petitions.\\xa0

\\u201cPeople with food allergies already have to limit what they can consume. It\\u2019s a shame if they have to miss out on the beneficial nutrients available in coconuts.\\u201d - Traci Kantowski (12:31 - 12:43)

If you\\u2019re interested in being a part of correcting a mistake that\\u2019s preventing countless people from enjoying the benefits of coconuts, please take the time to visit the CCA and support their efforts today.\\xa0

How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!\\xa0
• Reach out to us - we\\u2019d love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.\\xa0
• For more information about coconuts, and to support the Allergen Project citizen\\u2019s petition, visit the Coconut Coalition of the Americas.

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