HR 1178
Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act
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Bill overview
This bill will require food manufacturers to label products containing galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) if the amount exceeds a detectable limit. Alpha-gal is a sugar found in red meat and some other mammal-derived products, and exposure through tick bites can cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. The bill aims to improve food safety by alerting consumers with this allergy to the presence of alpha-gal in the foods they consume.
Key provisions
- Adds galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose to the list of major food allergens.
- Requires labeling of foods containing alpha-gal above a detectable limit.
- Defines alpha-gal as including ingredients derived from non-catarrhine primates and certain red algae.
- Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a detectable limit for alpha-gal in ingredients.
- Specifies that alpha-gal-knockout mammals are exempt from the labeling requirement if they have no detectable alpha-gal.
Who is affected
- Food Manufacturers
- Consumers with alpha-gal allergies
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Notable changes
- Expands the definition of ‘major food allergen’ to include alpha-gal.
- Creates a labeling requirement for foods containing alpha-gal above a certain threshold.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large] Radewagen
Becca [D-VT-At Large] Balint
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 1178
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to add alpha-gal to the definition of major food allergen
.
This Act may be cited as the Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act
.
major food allergen
Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (commonly known as alpha-gal
).
For purposes of this subparagraph, the term galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose includes—
ingredients derived from non-catarrhine primate mammals; and
red algae in the order Gigartinales.
For purposes of this subparagraph, the term galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose does not include mammal-derived ingredients for which the Secretary determines there is no galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose above an established, detectable limit (such as ingredients made from alpha-gal-knockout mammals).