{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://barrett.house.gov/media/press-releases/barrett-builds-maha-agenda-helps-introduce-bipartisan-bill-require-clear", "Barrett Builds on MAHA Agenda, Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Require Clear Gluten Labeling", "2026-08-04", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tom Barrett", "B001321", "barrett.house.gov", "barrett", "https://barrett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) joined Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13) and colleagues from both sides of the aisle in introducing the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act of 2026. This bill would amend the Food and Drug Administration\u2019s major food allergen labeling requirements to include barley, rye, and oats alongside wheat, closing a gap in federal law that leaves millions of Americans with celiac disease and gluten intolerance exposed to hidden sources of gluten.\n\n\u201cFamilies deserve to know exactly what\u2019s in the food they serve themselves and their children,\u201d said Barrett. \u201cClear labeling gives parents and consumers the transparency they need to make informed decisions and stay healthy. This bipartisan bill will help millions of people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance avoid hidden sources of gluten \u2014 giving families real peace of mind.\u201d\n\nThis action comes amid growing concern over the health risks posed by accidental gluten exposure. An estimated 25.7 million Americans have celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or an IgE-mediated wheat allergy with potential cross-reactivity to barley, rye, and oats.\n\n\u201cI actually have a gluten intolerance myself, and it\u2019s terrifying when labels aren\u2019t clear because that can have serious medical consequences,\u201d said Luna. \u201cMillions of Americans are affected by celiac disease or gluten intolerance; it\u2019s a real and serious issue, and it\u2019s time the food industry respected that. We need transparent labeling so Americans can make informed decisions and safeguard their health.\u201d\n\nThe legislation has also been championed by 13-year-old Jax Bari, known as the \u201cMAHA Kid\u201d and co-founder of Celiac Journey, whose advocacy has helped bring national attention to the gaps in federal gluten-labeling requirements.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful to Congresswoman Luna and the original co-sponsors for introducing the bipartisan FASTER Act of 2026 which will require the labeling of barley, rye, and oats as Major Food Allergens,\u201d said Jax Bari. \u201cMy goal is to eat without fear because celiac is every bite, every day \u2014 constant questioning, constant worrying. Just a crumb of gluten is like kryptonite to me. 87 other countries require the labeling of wheat, barley, rye and oats, including in Canada, in the United Kingdom and across the European Union. We\u2019re really behind in the United States, and the FASTER Act will help close the gap and better protect 729,000 kids like me with Celiac.\u201d\n\nThe FASTER Act is also cosponsored by Reps. Randy K. Weber Sr. (TX-14), Paul A. Gosar (AZ-09), Daniel Meuser (PA-09), Jefferson Van Drew (NJ-02), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Michael Rulli (OH-06).\n\nClick here to read the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-05T07:37:37Z", "2026-08-05T07:38:44Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://barrett.house.gov/media/press-releases/barrett-builds-maha-agenda-helps-introduce-bipartisan-bill-require-clear"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4699511229991913, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}