# Plain Language Summary: Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act

This bill adds alpha-gal to the official list of major food allergens that food manufacturers must label on their products. Alpha-gal is a sugar molecule found in red meat and certain other animal products that can trigger serious allergic reactions in some people. Currently, the FDA recognizes nine major allergens (like peanuts, milk, and shellfish), but alpha-gal isn't officially on that list, even though thousands of Americans have developed an allergy to it—often after being bitten by a tick carrying a specific bacteria.

Right now, if a food contains alpha-gal, manufacturers aren't required to clearly label it as an allergen. This means people with alpha-gal allergies have to carefully research products and ingredients to avoid reactions, which can range from mild itching to severe anaphylaxis. By adding alpha-gal to the official allergen list, food companies would be required to clearly label products containing it, similar to how they label peanuts or dairy. This would make it much easier for people with this allergy to shop safely and know what they're eating.

The bill specifically covers alpha-gal found in red meat, certain primate-derived ingredients, and specific types of red algae. It includes a practical exception for specially engineered animal products that have had the alpha-gal removed. The changes would take effect 18 months after the bill becomes law, giving food manufacturers time to update their labeling and supply chains. For the growing number of Americans with alpha-gal allergies, this would be a significant step toward better protection and clearer information about what's in their food.

Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act

Van Drew, Jefferson

Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion ActThis bill expands the definition of major food allergen to include galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (commonly known as alpha-gal). Under current law, food labels generally must identify each major food allergen found in labeled food products.&nbsp;(Certain tick bites cause an allergic condition known as alpha-gal syndrome that can result in an allergy to the alpha-gal molecule, which is found in red meat and other products made from mammals.)&nbsp;