MAHA Action and Jax Bari Take on Big Food's Objections to the FDA Request for Information on Gluten Labeling
- Jon Bari
- 15 hours ago
- 5 min read
On April 29, 2026, Jax Bari, the MAHA Kid, appeared on the MAHA Action Media Hub along with Tony Lyons, Vani Hari (@thefoodbabe), Jason Karp (@humankarp), Russell Brand (@russellbrand), Michael Boes (@mtboes), Chief MAHA Officer, Steak 'n Shake, Dr. Eric Berg (@drericberg): Nurse Kate Johnson (@nursekatejohnson) and Shira Boehler (@shiraboehler). Jax's remarks focused on demanding Gluten labeling and ending the Gluten guessing game!
"We need millions of Jax Bari's coming from every corner of the country to fight... he's just a true MAHA Kid advocating for common sense... He's here today to update us all of us on the incredible progress that he's been making and the roadblocks that still stand in his way." --Tony Lyons, President, MAHA Action
This was Jax's second appearance on the MAHA Media Hub. On February 4, 2026, Jax Bari delivered an impassioned call on the MAHA Media Hub about his FDA Citizen Petition to require the labeling of Gluten on all packaged foods in the United States, just like Gluten must be declared on all food labels in 87 other countries. On January 21, 2026, Secretary Kennedy issued a press release and a Request for Information (RFI) to take next steps to require Gluten labeling and respond to Jax's Citizen Petition.
Transcript: Jax Bari: Demanding Gluten Labeling & Ending the Guessing Game
Tony Lyons:
Next up, we have Jax Bari.
He is 12 years old and he's already a notable activist, just the kind of young person we need in this country.
We need millions of Jax Bari's coming from every corner of the country to fight all of the chronic disease.
He's focused on Celiac [Disease], and he's co-founder of Celiac Journey, and he's just a true MAHA Kid advocating for common sense ways to solve all of these problems, and he would like to require labeling of Gluten on all packaged foods in the US.
He's here today to update us all of us on the incredible progress that he's been making and the roadblocks that still stand in his way.
But, you know, if I was going to bet on somebody, you know, this is just a powerful, dedicated, sincere, smart young kid, and I'm proud to have him on.
Once again, thanks, Jax, for coming on.
Jax Bari:
Thanks Mr. Lyons.
Hi. I'm Jax Bari. I’m 13 years old, I have Celiac Disease, and I'm the MAHA Kid!
I'm grateful for this opportunity to share my goal – Eating without fear!
I'm here today asking for your help.
In January, the FDA turned the tide on the Gluten guessing game.
In response to the MAHA Strategy Report and my Citizen Petition, the FDA issued a Request for Information to require Gluten labeling on packaged foods in the U.S.
Gluten is found in Wheat, Barley, Rye and most Oats through cross-contamination. Since 2006, only Wheat has been required to be labeled in the U.S. as a Major Food Allergen, but not Barley, Rye and Oats. That’s created a massive food safety gap.
When the RFI comment period closed last week, more than 6,000 comments had been submitted to the FDA!
Many people shared that Barley, Rye and Oats are often hidden in seasonings, natural flavors, and spices, and not disclosed.
Sometimes Gluten is hidden in plain sight when these are not declared by common name. For example, it can appear as "malt flavor" instead of "Barley malt flavor."
Gluten grains can also be buried in long ingredient lists with small print and not called out as allergens.
Most of the comments submitted to FDA were very supportive of radical transparency to declare Barley, Rye and Oats as allergens!
However, Consumer Brands Association is fighting my common sense solution to protect 3.3 million Americans with Celiac Disease, including 729,000 kids like me.
CBA represents "more than 2,000 iconic brands" and including Pepsi, Kellogg's, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, and Nestle.
CBA is fighting the MAHA Strategy Report’s bold initiative to require Gluten labeling!
CBA's 14-page letter made incorrect and misleading statements about requiring Gluten labeling including that:
1. It would exceed FDA authority,
2. It’s not supported by science,
3. It would create consumer confusion and unnecessary industry burden, and
4. The current voluntary Gluten Free labeling system is sufficient
Their reasons are nonsense!
87 other countries require the labeling of Gluten including Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
Consumer Brands claimed that its "member companies remain committed to enhancing consumer transparency." And they do all over the world, just not in the U.S. That’s why we need FDA action!
CBA claimed that it would be inaccurate, misleading, and confusing to consumers to treat oats as Gluten containing grains.
However, Oats are required to be labeled in Canada, the United Kingdom and across Europe because Oats are inevitably cross-contaminated with Gluten.
Many of CBA's brands like Kellogg’s label Barley, Rye and Oats in other countries like the UK.
CBA's letter represents the calcification of old arguments as FDA dogma and statutory interpretation.
This makes sense considering that the authors of CBA’s comments are former senior staffers with the FDA and USDA. This is what the MAHA movement is trying to change.
Here’s corporate capture of people who now play for the other side, putting profits over consumer protection. I’m asking the MAHA movement to call out CBA.
Echoing Secretary Kennedy’s warning that ultra-processed foods are poisoning Americans through the GRAS loophole, undeclared Gluten is poisoning Celiacs through the Gluten labeling loophole.
Since Gluten grains are not declared as Major Food Allergens in the US, Celiacs have been forced to rely on products that are voluntarily labeled Gluten Free.
Often, these are ultra-processed foods that have been created to be sold in a premium marketplace of high-priced Gluten Free products.
We are grateful to Senator McCormick for calling on Secretary Kennedy to use his existing statutory authority to require the labeling of Barley, Rye and Oats as Major Food Allergens.
In addition, Glyphosate is used on Barley, Rye & Oats and all Americans have the right to know whether Gluten is an ingredient in their food.
Celiac is every bite, every day!
Constant worrying, constant questioning, and constant uncertainty!
Just like the FDA instituted its Accelerated Approval Program to allow for earlier approval of drugs that treat serious conditions, we are calling on the FDA to accelerate issuing rulemaking to require the labeling of Barley, Rye and Oats as Major Food allergens. Let’s do this.
Thanks again Mr. Lyons.
Tony Lyons:
Thanks so much, Jax.
You know, people say that young people are losing their motivation and their sense of purpose, and you know, you really prove that that isn't true.
I mean, you're just you're you're so amazing, and I'm so proud of you.
You're a warrior. You're a role model, and you know, that's, you know, we're fighting for you, for your generation, for the next generations, and it's so beautiful to see you fighting for yourself and fighting for the future of of children for generations to come.
So, I'm proud to have you on.
We're going to have you on many times and thanks again for all the work you're doing!
Jax Bari:
Thank you so much, Mr. Lyons!
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