Are Ticks Threatening U.S. Agriculture? What to Know About Alpha-gal Syndrome
- Ashley Craft
- May 12
- 7 min read
The higher powers that be gave me the gift of communication, a passion for agriculture and a desire to teach. As of March 2025, they also made me an Alpha-gal advocate. Put all these things together, and I guess that now makes me an Alpha-gal Agvocate.
What is Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS)? Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergy caused by a tick bite. While it’s sometimes referred to as a red meat allergy, that barely scratches the surface. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines AGS as an allergy to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), a sugar molecule found in mammals, animal-derived products, and even some non-mammal organisms like red algae (yep, that’s why carrageenan can be a trigger too).
Currently, there is no FDA-approved treatment or cure for AGS. Management focuses on strict avoidance of alpha-gal-containing substances that cause triggers, food and product journaling to ensure you’re eliminating all the right triggers and using antihistamines or epinephrine to treat allergic reactions when they occur.
A Deeper Dive on Alpha-gal Syndrome Allergens
AGS isn’t a typical food allergy. It occurs when a tick bite introduces alpha-gal into your body, triggering the immune system to produce Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. This immune response can lead to a sudden and sometimes lasting allergy to red meat (such as beef, pork and lamb) and other products containing the alpha-gal molecule. Symptoms may not first appear until weeks or even months after the initial tick bite.
Depending on the individual’s immune response, those with AGS may have allergic reactions to:
Red meats
Fumes from mammals (including those emitted while cooking red meat or from livestock themselves)
Dairy
Medications with gelatin (common in the majority of capsules) or magnesium stearate
Personal care products with animal-based ingredients
Processed foods containing carrageenan
Foods or drinks processed or treated with mammal ingredients or carrageenan
Heparin, a blood thinner used to prevent or treat blood clots
Cetuximab, a cancer drug which has caused fatal reactions in patients with AGS and cancer
Livestock care products, such as udder balms
For some, AGS may mean eliminating only red meat from their diet. For others, it may require removing red meat, dairy, carrageenan, gelatin, certain medications and a wide range of animal-derived ingredients and byproducts.
Why does it affect some more than others? Research suggests there may be several contributing factors. First, it could be as simple as each person’s immune system responds differently to alpha-gal. Second, subsequent tick bites can heighten the body’s sensitivity to alpha-gal, potentially leading to more severe reactions over time. Third, regular exposure to foods or products containing alpha-gal may result in lingering symptoms, which can take longer to subside—even if the trigger isn’t obvious. Lastly, triggers can be influenced by co-factors such as exercise, stress, alcohol and NSAID drugs like Advil or Aleve.
Common symptoms could include:
Anxiety, depression, fatigue, poor memory, irritability or sleep disturbances
Anaphylaxis—60% to 75% of individuals with AGS experience anaphylactic reactions.
Can mimic IBS or arthritis—no hives or other classic allergic symptoms
Frequent or unmanaged reactions can take a toll on a person’s body. That’s why early diagnosis and education are so important, especially with something as complex and far-reaching as AGS.
The CDC notes that reactions usually occur 2 to 6 hours after exposure, but I—and others in online AGS support communities—can attest that symptoms can also appear in as little as 30 minutes.
Why the Ag Industry Should Be Mindful of AGS
There are two large reasons why the ag industry should rally behind AGS awareness and education.
Red meats and dairy are foundational to U.S. agriculture, and AGS threatens to quietly chip away at consumer demand for both. In 2024 alone, cattle, hogs and dairy contributed more than $100 billion to the U.S. economy. As AGS diagnoses rise, more consumers may be forced to avoid beef, pork, dairy and other mammal-derived products. This shift in demand could result in lower revenues for three of the top 10 U.S. commodities if the industry doesn’t act proactively. Without educational campaigns and preventative efforts, the ag industry risks costly disruptions.
For those living with AGS, working on the farm can pose serious health risks and may require significant changes to daily tasks.
According to Alpha-gal Information (an advocacy and education group), among all livestock-related exposures, bodily fluids are the most dangerous to those living with AGS. Whether you're delivering a calf and are exposed to amniotic fluid, processing a carcass or dealing with blood exposure from livestock containing alpha-gal, you could experience a severe or even fatal reaction. Saliva from livestock containing the alpha-gal molecule can also cause topical symptoms like hives or swelling. Some individuals with AGS report reactions to animal waste or even inhalation of fumes from animals or their environments.
With farmers and ranchers making up less than 2% of the U.S. population, their heightened risk of exposure could have outsized consequences, not just for their personal health, but for the stability of the agriculture industry as a whole. But don’t just take my researched or lived words for it—I recommend taking time to listen to five farmers and ranchers who have a lot to say in an April 2025 AgriSafe webinar (farmer-focused discussions come in at the 32-minute mark). Clark, Jenna, Daniel, Sonja and Ashton each share their journeys with AGS on and off the farm, from varying symptoms to the severity of their reactions. As you'll discover, it can pose quite the challenges.
How the Ag Industry Can Respond
If you’re part of the agriculture community—as a farmer, association, processor or educator—here’s what you can do to help:
Spread awareness. You might help someone get the right diagnosis faster just by sharing information about Alpha-gal Syndrome. Research shows it takes an average of seven years before someone is typically diagnosed due to the lack of research and information available to healthcare providers and the general public alike. And trust me, it becomes extremely apparent this statistic is all too real when you’re visiting the hospital, urgent care and various doctors or even surgeons trying to figure out what is going on with your body. A friend of mine mentioned AGS and ultimately led me to advocate for an Alpha-gal IgE blood test. It wasn’t on any of my doctors’ radars.
Launch prevention campaigns. Use your platforms and networks to educate about AGS and tick bite prevention. Visual reminders, articles, social media posts, radio segments or webinar offerings can go a long way, and it’s extremely relevant to your audience.
Example: Imagine a billboard featuring sizzling bacon and a tagline like, “Don’t let Alpha-gal prevent you from eating the foods you love. #AlphaGalAwareness.” The billboard could also feature a short URL to a pork association’s landing page that offers:
AGS facts
Tick bite prevention tips
Video testimonials from real people living with the condition
It packs a punch and helps the driver wonder what Alpha-gal is. I mean, who doesn't love bacon?
Be allergen-aware when planning events. For those living with AGS, eating out is daunting. It isn’t always about ordering foods or drinks that should be safe—it's also about making sure those preparing the products don’t accidentally contaminate them along the way. Grills, prep areas and utensils must be separate for AGS-safe foods. Airborne particles or shared surfaces can trigger serious reactions in some individuals. Keep this in mind when requesting allergen information from future attendees.
Support legislation like the Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act (H.R. 1178). This bill would label alpha-gal as a major allergen under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Right now, people living with AGS can experience reactions from foods or products they believed were safe, because mammal-derived ingredients were used in processing and not disclosed. For consumers with AGS, that creates fear. For producers and processors, that creates liability. Clear labeling restores trust in the food system and gives those living with AGS a huge sigh of relief.
Partner with the Alpha-gal Foundation. This nonprofit works to empower patients, advance education and foster community for those impacted by AGS. Their resources and network could support your outreach efforts and help your organization lead responsibly.
Why Statistics May Not Show the Whole Picture
According to the CDC, more than 110,000 suspected cases of Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) were identified between 2010 and 2022. However, the CDC estimates that as many as 450,000 people in the U.S. may have been affected, once underdiagnosis and low awareness are factored in.
Still, I can’t help but wonder if even those estimates fall short. A 2023 CDC study revealed a striking number of U.S. counties don't offer AGS testing at all. And ticks don’t settle down, have a nice little tick family and stay in one area their whole lives. Ticks migrate short distances on their own and long distances when hitchhiking on the backs of birds, mammals or hiking gear traveling from one state to the next. Something says the ticks in question are in many more counties than we currently realize.
To complicate things further, the same study showed that 78% of surveyed healthcare providers had little to no knowledge of AGS. Without physician awareness, cases can go undiagnosed or even misdiagnosed. So, it makes me question if we’re accurately guestimating everything. Either way, AGS is still here, and cases are rising.
Key Takeaways
As we head into the warmer months and ticks become more active, it’s time to talk about AGS, louder and more often. If you suspect AGS might be affecting you or someone you know, schedule an appointment with an allergist and advocate for the Alpha-gal IgE blood test. Be persistent. Keep asking questions. Don't give up on wanting to feel better.
If you're part of the agriculture community and want help starting the conversation, building a campaign or creating educational materials, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m passionate about preventing others from getting AGS—and ensuring those already affected receive the diagnosis and support they need. Together, we can make a difference.
Additional Resources:
Comments