FASTER Act of 2026

The Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act of 2026 (FASTER Act of 2026) expands the federal legal definition of a "major food allergen" and places new reporting and guidance requirements on federal health agencies. Specifically, the bill: * Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by expanding the major food allergen category from "wheat" to "gluten-containing grain." * Requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to update its guidance on major food allergens. * Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to research and submit a detailed report to Congress regarding Celiac disease.

* **Food manufacturers and distributors:** Businesses that introduce or deliver food products into interstate commerce. * **Consumers:** Individuals with Celiac disease, gluten sensitivities, or grain allergies who rely on food allergen disclosures. * **Federal agencies:** The FDA Administrator and the Secretary of HHS, who are responsible for implementing updates and submitting reports. * **Congress:** The House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, which will receive the mandatory HHS report.

* **Allergen Definition:** "Gluten-containing grain" officially becomes a major food allergen category , legally defined to include: * Wheat (genus *Triticum*) * Rye (genus *Secale*) * Barley (genus *Hordeum*) * Oats (genus *Avena sativa*) * Crossbred hybrids of these grains (such as triticale) * **Agency Compliance Guides:** Within **one year** of enactment, the FDA Administrator must update all major food allergen sections in the FDA’s *Manual of Compliance Policy Guides*. * **Celiac Disease Report:** Within **one year** of enactment, the Secretary of HHS must submit a report to designated congressional committees. The report must cover: * Surveillance and data collection on Celiac disease prevalence and reaction severity. * Identified gaps in data and surveillance. * Progress in developing diagnostic tools and methods to prevent Celiac disease. * Strategies to lower risks for people living with Celiac disease. * Progress on therapies to manage, treat, prevent, or cure the disease.

The provided summary does not outline any specific appropriations, authorized funding levels, taxes, fees, or financial penalties.

* **Implementation Delay:** The expanded allergen rules apply to food introduced or delivered into interstate commerce starting **one year** after the bill becomes law, rather than taking effect immediately. * **Enforcement:** The provided summary does not detail specific enforcement mechanisms, civil penalties, or exceptions for specific food products.

Starting one year after it becomes law, this bill broadens federal food allergen rules so that all gluten-containing grains—including wheat, rye, barley, oats, and their hybrids—are classified as major food allergens in interstate commerce, while also requiring HHS to report to Congress on Celiac disease research and data within one year.