Cleaver, McCollum Introduce Celiac Safety Act to Protect Americans with Celiac Disease

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, during Celiac Disease Awareness Month, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Betty McCollum (D-MN) introduced the Celiac Safety Act to strengthen food labeling law and protect the roughly 3 million Americans with Celiac Disease. The legislation is the first proposal in Congress to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to mandate the inclusion of "gluten-containing grains" as a major food allergen, ensuring manufacturers label the inclusion of all gluten-containing ingredients in products made available to the public.

"More than three million Americans are impacted by Celiac Disease in the United States, forcing them to maintain a careful diet or face serious health challenges that come with the disease," said Congressman Cleaver. "Current food labeling law does not account for all gluten-containing ingredients, like barley and rye, making the tedious task of avoiding these ingredients in public products extremely and unnecessarily challenging for many of our neighbors. By taking the simple step of requiring the FDA to include all gluten-containing grains as a major food allergen, we can help prevent unnecessary health struggles for millions across the country."

"All of us know someone with Celiac disease, and all of us have seen the suffering that can come with it. As co-chair of the Celiac Disease Caucus, I'm glad to co-lead the Celiac Safety Act with Congressman Cleaver. The United States is one of the only developed nations that doesn't require food manufacturers to list gluten as a major allergen. Our bill would change that, helping the nearly three million Americans with the disease to avoid gluten exposure and make informed choices about the food they consume," said Congresswoman McCollum.

"Gluten-containing grains trigger a serious autoimmune response in celiac disease patients, yet current labeling laws fail to recognize that risk with the same clarity afforded to other ingredients listed as major allergens. Recategorizing gluten-containing grains as a major food allergen would strengthen transparency, reduce preventable medical harm, and help millions of Americans make safe food choices with confidence. The Celiac Disease Foundation applauds Representative Cleaver and (other sponsors here) for introducing the Celiac Safety Act, and we urge members of Congress to pass this important legislation," said Marilyn G. Geller, CEO of Celiac Disease Foundation.

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the lining of the small intestine when individuals consume the protein gluten, which can be found in wheat, barley, and rye. There is no cure, and the only treatment is adherence to a strict gluten-free diet.

While Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, and all 27 member states of the European Union require manufacturers to list gluten as a major allergen, the United States only requires manufacturers to list wheat as a major allergen, which does not account for other gluten-containing grains like barley and rye. This makes it difficult for individuals with Celiac Disease to assess the risk of individual food products while managing their condition.

The Celiac Safety Act will protect individuals with Celiac Disease by:

• Requiring any product containing wheat, barley, or rye to list "gluten-containing grains" as a major allergen.
• Provide an 18-month implementation window for the FDA and manufacturers.

The Celiac Safety Act is endorsed by the Celiac Disease Foundation, American Gastroenterological Association, and Society for the Study of Celiac Disease.

A one-pager for the Celiac Safety Act is available here.

Official text of the Celiac Safety Act is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.