The American Celiac Disease Alliance released a notice yesterday saying that our efforts, such as the Gluten Free to get standardized gluten free labeling laws have moved one step closer. The FDA announced on the 7th anniversary of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) that they were opening up the GF Labeling law proposal and a related safety assessment for Public Agency and individual comments. Make Your Voice Heard and Weigh in! Please see this press release and other information below.
FDA Reopens Comment Period on Gluten-Free Labeling Proposal
Food agency announcement coincides with the anniversary of allergen law mandating standards for products consumed by individuals with celiac disease and others adhering to medically prescribed gluten-free diet.
ALEXANDRIA, VA – August 2, 2011 – Today, the FDA announced it was reopening the public comment period on its gluten-free labeling proposal mandated in a seven-year old allergen labeling law according to the American Celiac Disease Alliance (ACDA), the national advocacy organization representing patients, researchers, food manufacturers and others serving the celiac community.
Along with news about opening up the comment period, the agency released a safety assessment, analyzing the research on the amount of gluten that can safely be consumed by those who have celiac disease. The 60-day comment period for both the overall gluten-free labeling proposal and the safety assessment will run from the date FDA’s notice is published in the Federal Register.
The docket number is FDA-2005-N-0404 and comments can be submitted by going to www.regulations.gov.
The FDA is allowing time for additional comments to ensure that it has the best scientific, evidence-based information to establish the country’s first ever standard for gluten-free products. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) directed the FDA to come up with a standard and the agency in 2007 proposed that gluten-free food contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. Action was to be completed the following year, instead the regulation then stalled.
Dr. Alessio Fasano of the University of Maryland’s Center for Celiac Research has authored research demonstrating a 20ppm would be safe. “This is a standard that has been in use in Europe for almost two decades, and the science supports the U.S. adopting it as well,” said Fasano.
Advocates, led by the ACDA, have been pressuring FDA for years to complete the gluten-free regulations. In May, hundreds from the celiac and gluten-free community rallied at the Gluten-Free Labeling Summit in Washington, DC. The event garnered nationwide attention as baking expert, and cookbook author, Jules Shepard, assisted by other gluten-free chefs, constructed the world’s largest gluten-free cake. Michael Taylor, FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Food, attended providing assurance the agency was working hard to complete the gluten-free regulation.
*** Information taken from ACDA’s Email and Webste.***
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