Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act

This legislation proposes to amend Section 201(qq) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by adding galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose , or alpha-gal , to the definition of a "major food allergen." This change would require food manufacturers to clearly label products containing alpha-gal, similar to other recognized allergens, to enhance consumer safety. The bill specifically defines alpha-gal to include ingredients derived from non-catarrhine primate mammals and red algae in the order Gigartinales . However, it explicitly excludes mammal-derived ingredients that the Secretary determines contain no detectable alpha-gal above an established limit, such as those from alpha-gal-knockout mammals. The amendments made by this Act are set to take effect 18 months after the date of its enactment.