FDA GF Labeling Laws

The FDA is expected to announce on Tuesday that it has modified its plan to conduct an experimental study about gluten-free labeling of food products.

The Gluten-Free Labeling of Food Products Experimental Study will collect information from consumers who have celiac disease or gluten intolerance and individuals who do not have either condition.

According to the FDA:

"The purpose of the study is to gauge perceptions of characteristics related to claims of gluten-free and allowed variants (e.g., free of gluten, without gluten, no gluten), in addition to other types of statements (e.g., made in a gluten-free facility or not made in a facility that processes gluten containing foods) on the food label. The study will also assess consumer understanding of gluten-free claims on foods that are naturally free of gluten, and gauge consumer reaction to a product carrying a gluten claim concurrently with a statement about the amount of gluten the product contains."

You may recall that in March, the agency published a notice announcing its intent to conduct a study of significant interest to those with celiac disease. The notice, which is required when the federal government wants to collect information for research purposes, stated that the FDA is "planning to conduct an experimental study about gluten-free labeling of food products." (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-4766.pdf)

Based on the comments received in March the FDA revised how it would gather the data for the experimental study. The new approach will ensure that a much larger and more diverse group of individuals with and without celiac disease will have the opportunity to share their views about gluten-free labeling on food products.

Without question this information will be helpful to the FDA. However, with the final GF labeling rule now over a year past due, let's hope this does not cause even further delay.