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HR 9988

FASTER Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Tom Barrett and 14 co-sponsors

Barley, rye, and oats are added as gluten-containing grains, updating labeling rules and prompting FDA guidance updates and a comprehensive celiac disease research and surveillance

Introduced in House
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Bill Summary · HR 9988

Summary of HR 9988 — Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act of 2026 (FASTER Act of 2026)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) to include barley, rye, and oats as major food allergens.
  • It aims to clarify and expand labeling and regulatory definitions related to gluten-containing grains and to support improved allergy surveillance, diagnosis, and research related to celiac disease and food allergies.

Key provisions

  1. Inclusion of barley, rye, and oats as major food allergens

    • Amends Section 201 of the FD&C Act by:
      • Replacing the current term “wheat” with “gluten-containing grain” in subsection (qq)(1).
      • Defining “gluten-containing grain” to include:
      • Wheat (including species in genus Triticum)
      • Rye (genus Secale)
      • Barley (genus Hordeum)
      • Oats (genus Avena sativa)
      • This effectively recognizes barley, rye, and oats (along with wheat) as gluten-containing grains for allergy-related purposes, aligning with major food allergen considerations.

  2. Revision of FDA compliance policy guides (1-year timeline)

    • Requires the FDA Administrator to revise the relevant Major Food Allergen sections in the FDA’s Manual of Compliance Policy Guides within 1 year of enactment to reflect the amendments.

  3. Applicability timeline

    • The amendments apply to foods that are introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce on or after the date that is 1 year after enactment.

  4. Celiac disease research and surveillance (HD-HHS report)

    • Requires a DHS/Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary–led review delivered within 1 year after enactment to Congress.
    • Topics to cover:
      • Surveillance and data on the prevalence of celiac disease in the U.S. and the severity of allergic reactions to specific foods or ingredients in individuals with celiac disease.
      • Identification of gaps in surveillance or data collection.
      • Development of effective diagnostics for celiac disease.
      • Prevention methods for onset of celiac disease.
      • Methods to reduce risks associated with living with celiac disease.
      • Development of new therapeutics to prevent, treat, cure, or manage celiac disease.

Who and what would be affected

  • Industry and regulators:

    • Manufacturers, distributors, and importers of gluten-containing grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats) would be impacted by the redefinition of gluten-containing grains and by revised FDA guidance/requirements applicable to major allergens.
    • FDA’s compliance policy guides would be updated to reflect the new allergen scope, influencing labeling, recalls, and regulatory enforcement.

  • Public health and consumers:

    • Individuals with gluten-related allergies or celiac disease could experience changes in labeling clarity and potential improvements in diagnostics and management through the mandated reporting and research.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction: July 30, 2026.
  • Referral: House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • Compliance timeline: FDA must revise the relevant compliance policy guides within 1 year of enactment.
  • Applicability date: Foods entering interstate commerce on or after 1 year from enactment.
  • Reporting: A comprehensive HHS-led report due within 1 year of enactment to Congress on celiac disease surveillance, diagnostics, prevention, and therapeutics.

Observations

  • The bill emphasizes stricter and more uniform consideration of barley, rye, and oats as gluten-containing grains for regulatory purposes, aligning with broader allergen labeling and safety objectives.
  • It couples regulatory changes with an emphasis on research and data collection for celiac disease, potentially spurring advances in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
  • No specific budget authorizations are provided in the text presented; the bill focuses on definitional changes, policy guide updates, and a mandated report.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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