House Lawmakers Introduce Gluten Allergen Bill

Reps. Emanuel Cleaver (MO) and Betty McCollum (MN) have introduced the Celiac Safety Act of 2026, legislation that would require foods containing wheat, barley or rye to identify “gluten-containing grain” as a major food allergen under federal food labeling law. According to the bill sponsors, the U.S. is one of the few developed countries that does not require gluten-containing grains to be disclosed as a major allergen. They say the change would help nearly 3 million Americans with celiac disease more easily identify foods containing gluten, noting that current U.S. allergen labeling requirements cover wheat but not other gluten-containing grains such as barley and rye. The legislation would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to add “gluten-containing grain” to the definition of a major food allergen and would provide an 18-month implementation period. The bill is endorsed by the Celiac Disease Foundation, the American Gastroenterological Association, and the Society for the Study of Celiac Disease.

A one-pager for the Celiac Safety Act

Official text of the Celiac Safety Act