Bills Would Add Alpha-Gal to Major Food Allergen List

Two bills in Congress would classify alpha-gal as a major food allergen and require manufacturers to label ingredients in prescription drugs that contain major allergens. The measures address challenges faced by people with alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy triggered by the bite of a lone star tick.

A 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate placed the number of Americans with the condition at nearly 500,000.

One bill, the Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act, was introduced in the House in early 2025. It would require food manufacturers to list the alpha-gal molecule by its common name either in the ingredients list or in the "contains" statement. Current rules require disclosure only for ingredients already classified as major food allergens.

Manufacturers sometimes list components under broad terms such as "natural flavorings," which can include animal-derived substances containing alpha-gal.

A second bill would require labeling of ingredients in prescription medications that contain major allergens. Federal law already requires such labeling for dietary supplements, but no comparable rule applies to prescription drugs. A 2022 study found that 74 percent of the 100 most commonly prescribed medications possibly contained animal-based ingredients.

In a 2023 survey of more than 550 people with alpha-gal syndrome, more than 75 percent reported reactions to medications.

Massachusetts began requiring doctors to report alpha-gal syndrome cases to the Department of Public Health in April, joining 13 other states with similar requirements. Spending on new medical research by the National Institutes of Health is down about $1 billion compared with prior years, according to reporting by The New York Times.