Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) has introduced an amendment to a significant bipartisan piece of legislation regarding food labeling requirements.
The Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act of 2026 would mandate that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) begin including barley, rye, oats, and wheat in its major food allergen labeling requirements.
“Millions of Americans are affected by celiac disease or gluten intolerance; it’s a real and serious issue, and it’s time the food industry respected that,” Rep. Paulina Luna affirmed, calling for transparent labeling “so Americans can make informed decisions and safeguard their health.”
Bill Replaces Definition of "Wheat"; Enforces Celiac Disease Research
The bill aims to amend the definition of “wheat” in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act’s food allergen category to “gluten-containing grain.” The reformed definition would include the aforementioned gluten sources, as well as “crossbred hybrids such as triticale.”
“These grains can be hidden in seasonings, flavorings, and fine print, leaving consumers without the clear information they need to avoid gluten.”
The legislation would also order the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) “report to Congress on celiac disease surveillance, diagnostics, prevention, risk reduction, and the development of new treatments.”
“I actually have a gluten intolerance myself, and it’s terrifying when labels aren’t clear because that can have serious medical consequences,” Congresswoman Luna said, empathizing with the millions of Americans suffering from similar health struggles.
Congresswoman Luna is among the estimated 25.7 million Americans suffering from a form of food allergy or gluten intolerance.
Previous Efforts To Reform Allergen Labeling Requirements
Since 2006, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) has required food packages to label wheat as a major food allergen.
Previously, in 2021, the House also passed a version of the FASTER Act, which required sesame to be labeled as an allergen on packaged foods.
