Bill > SB542

This bill addresses labeling requirements and health concerns related to gluten in food products. The bill first acknowledges that celiac disease is a serious health condition that can cause various symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, joint pain, and potentially lead to more severe health complications such as malnutrition, anemia, and intestinal cancers. It defines gluten as proteins naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, barley, and oats that can cause adverse health effects in people with certain sensitivities. The bill mandates that food products containing gluten-containing grains or 20 parts per million or more of gluten must be labeled to indicate their gluten content and potential health risks. Additionally, a food product can only be labeled as "gluten-free" if it either does not contain gluten, contains less than 20 parts per million of gluten, or has had all ingredients processed to remove gluten beyond the 20 parts per million threshold. The bill also amends existing state law to allow the State Department of Agriculture to impose civil penalties up to $10,000 for violations of these new labeling requirements, with each day of continued violation potentially considered a separate offense.

Health and Social Services

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SB542