Congress·In Committee·H.R. 1178

Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act

Food Labeling: Adding Alpha-gal to Major Allergen List

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

The Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act is currently in the early stages of the legislative process after being referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill is considered active, but no further committee hearings or votes have been scheduled at this time.

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Key Points

This bill would add "alpha-gal" to the official list of major food allergens in the United States. Alpha-gal is a sugar molecule found in most mammals, such as cows, pigs, and sheep. People with this allergy can have serious or life-threatening reactions if they eat meat or products made from these animals.
If this becomes law, food companies would be required to clearly list alpha-gal on their ingredient labels. This would help people with the allergy quickly identify safe foods and avoid products that contain hidden mammal-derived ingredients or certain types of red seaweed.
The new labeling rules would take effect 18 months after the bill is signed into law. This delay gives food manufacturers time to test their products, update their packaging, and ensure they are following the new safety standards.
The bill includes an exception for ingredients that have almost no alpha-gal. If the government determines a product is below a safe limit—such as meat from special animals bred not to have the sugar molecule—it would not need the special allergen label.