The efficacy of the food allergen safety system rests on a set of widely held assumptions about the nature of food allergens and the physiology of sensitization. While these assumptions have shaped current regulatory policies and control plans, it is important to assess how well the system can recognize and respond to changes that challenge them. Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) is an emerging issue that challenges many of the assumptions underlying the allergen safety system. This session will show that AGS serves as a case study of the system's ability to respond to an emerging hazard with a previously unrecognized etiology. This will include consideration of the implications for labeling and transparency, as well as the risks associated with using food ingredients in drugs and dietary supplements. Further, the role of AGS as a signal of the future impact of broader environmental changes on food safety will be discussed.