By Debbie Nichols

Although alpha-gal syndrome is often referred to as “the red meat allergy you catch from a tick bite,” those of us living with it know it is so much more than that.

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a tick-induced allergy to galactose-ɑ-1,3-galactose, a sugar commonly known as alpha-gal. It’s found in all mammals except for humans and some primates.

Within weeks or months following the bite of a tick, a person can develop anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction to anything containing the alpha-gal sugar. This not only includes beef, pork, and other red meats, but also dairy and other byproducts commonly found in food, pharmaceuticals, and everyday household and healthcare items.

In July 2023, the CDC identified AGS as a growing clinical and public health threat. Officials estimated some 450,000 cases in the United States, making it the tenth most common food allergy.

75% experience anaphylaxis

Symptoms of alpha-gal exposure range from everything from hives to gastrointestinal symptoms to anaphylaxis—a life-threatening allergic reaction.  It’s estimated that as many as 75 percent of alpha-gal patients have experienced anaphylaxis due to exposure. And in areas where AGS is highly prevalent, AGS is both the number-one cause of anaphylaxis in adults and adolescents—more than all other food allergies combined—and the number one cause of adult-onset allergy.

There is currently no cure for AGS.  Thus, strict avoidance through diet and lifestyle changes is the only option for those living with it. But aside from the obvious culprits such as steak, bacon, and cheese, avoiding mammal-derived products is a difficult task.

In addition to meat products and dairy, alpha-gal is pervasive in our foods in the form of lard, gelatin, and many obscurely-named additives such as glycerin, pepsin, or rennet. In addition, many ingredients can be either animal- or plant-derived, so grocery shopping becomes a dangerous and confusing guessing game for those affected by AGS.

This lack of transparency in labeling makes identification of mammal-derived sources in foods, medications, vaccines, and more next to impossible. Transparent labeling is vital. And, thanks to New Jersey Congressman Jeff Van Drew, this solution is within reach.

Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act

In August, Rep. Van Drew introduced H.R. 9382, the Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act (AGAIA). This bill will amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to add alpha-gal to the definition of “major food allergen.”

If enacted, the bill will require labeling of alpha-gal on packaged foods sold in the U.S. in the same way other top allergens such as milk, eggs, and peanuts are currently labeled.

In short, this legislation will help the growing alpha-gal community to easily identify unsafe foods. But, the bill needs a tremendous amount of support to reach the finish line, and we need your help!

Our friends at Alpha-gal Alliance Action Fund have made it easy for you to help this bill become law: Simply complete this one-minute form to urge your member of the US House of Representatives to cosponsor the bill. Representatives track the number of emails they receive, so make your voice heard and counted!

With our documented numbers and the severity of AGS, the need for H.R. 9382 is more critical than ever, which is why the Alpha-gal Foundation is working to amplify alpha-gal in the national food allergy conversation.

But as the mission of the Alpha-gal Foundation is person-centered, we are driven by people willing to support the work we’re doing to make the world safer for those impacted by AGS. We thank you for your help and welcome you to join our journey at AlphaGalFoundation.org.

Debbie Nichols is co-founder of the Two Alpha Gals website, a resource for those living with alpha-gal syndrome. This year, she and her associate, Candice Matthis, launched the Alpha-Gal Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.