{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://luna.house.gov/posts/rep-luna-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-require-clear-gluten-labeling", "Rep. Luna Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Require Clear Gluten Labeling", "2026-07-31", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Anna Paulina Luna", "L000596", "luna.house.gov", "luna", "https://luna.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 On Thursday, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13) introduced the bipartisan Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act of 2026, legislation that would amend the FDA\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\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 Congresswoman 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 bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by replacing \u201cwheat\u201d in the definition of a major food allergen with \u201cgluten-containing grain,\u201d defined to include wheat, barley, rye, oats, and crossbred hybrids such as triticale. It also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on celiac disease surveillance, diagnostics, prevention, risk reduction, and the development of new treatments.\n\n\u201cPeople with celiac disease and gluten intolerance should be able to look at a food label and immediately see whether it contains barley, rye, or oats,\u201d said Congressman Van Drew. \u201cThis bill makes those ingredients easier to identify instead of relying only on the ingredient list. It is a simple, common-sense change that will help prevent mistakes and keep people safe, and I am proud to join Congresswoman Luna in this effort.\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. For people with celiac disease, consuming gluten can cause intestinal damage, anemia, malnutrition, immunological scarring, heart disease, cancer, and other serious health complications.\n\n\u201cAmericans deserve to know what\u2019s in the food they buy,\u201d said Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14). \u201cMore than 3.3 million Americans living with celiac disease rely on accurate labeling to protect their health, and this bill is a first step toward greater transparency for consumers.\u201d\n\nThere is no cure or rescue medication for accidental ingestion, and even among those who follow a strict gluten-free diet, 44 percent still report being \u201cglutened\u201d at least once a month.\n\n\u201cEveryone deserves to know what\u2019s in their food, especially when it may contain allergens,\u201d said Congressman Suozzi. \u201cBy requiring all packaged foods to clearly label even small traces of rye, oats, and barley, the FASTER Act ensures that Americans with celiac can feel confident that their food is safe to eat. I\u2019m proud to sponsor this common-sense, life-saving legislation.\u201d\n\nSince 2006, federal law has required wheat to be identified as a major food allergen, while barley, rye, and oats have remained outside the mandatory labeling requirement. These grains can be hidden in seasonings, flavorings, and fine print, leaving consumers without the clear information they need to avoid gluten. Meanwhile, 87 other countries require the labeling of wheat, barley, rye, and oats, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and countries across the European Union.\n\nCeliac advocates and affected families have urged the United States to adopt the same protections, an effort that has drawn support from both sides of the aisle and led to the FASTER ACT receiving bipartisan support.\n\n\u201cNo one should have to risk their health because of confusing food labels,\u201d said Congressman Rulli. \u201cThis legislation strengthens transparency and gives Americans with celiac disease the information they need to confidently choose safe foods.\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. My goal is to eat without fear because Celiac is every bite, every day \u2013 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 said Jax Bari.\n\nAfter meeting with Congresswoman Luna in June, Jax discussed the ambiguity surrounding gluten-containing grains during a June 16 meeting with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who also has celiac disease. Blanche agreed that clearer standards are needed and expressed support for Jax\u2019s efforts to require barley, rye, and oats to be labeled as major food allergens. Blanche\u2019s wife, Dr. Kristine Blanche, and their daughter Sydney, who has celiac disease, have also supported his advocacy.\n\nThe FASTER Act was introduced with original cosponsors 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), Tom Barrett (MI-07), and Michael Rulli (OH-06).\n\nView the full bill text here.\n\nContact:\n\nOffice of Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna\n\n(202) 225-5961 | david.leatherwood@mail.house.gov\n\nFollow updates at luna.house.gov", 1, "2026-08-01T07:27:26Z", "2026-08-01T07:28:22Z"]], "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://luna.house.gov/posts/rep-luna-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-require-clear-gluten-labeling"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.7648059874773026, "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"}