What is gluten-free? FDA's new rule
Last updated: Wednesday 10 September 2014
Food Intolerance
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Nutrition / Diet
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A new regulation defining the term "gluten-free" has been published by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). The FDA explained that the regulation is aimed at helping in the voluntary labeling of food products.
The FDA has been talking about redefining glucose-free labeling for several years. In 2011, the Agency reopened the proposed gluten-free labeling rule, which had been originally published in 2007.
Three million Americans are thought to have celiac disease. People with celiac disease have to avoid eating foods containing gluten, otherwise the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged, affecting the proper absorption of vital nutrients into the bloodstream.
The FDA says its new gluten-free regulation is aimed at helping patients with celiac disease maintain their gluten-free diet more effectively.
FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., said:
"Adherence to a gluten-free diet is the key to treating celiac disease, which can be very disruptive to everyday life. The FDA's new 'gluten-free' definition will help people with this condition make food choices with confidence and allow them to better manage their health."
Gluten-free means less than 20 parts per million
For a food to be labeled as gluten free, it must contain no more than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten, the FDA decided.
Wan Ja Shan Organic Gluten-Free Tamari
A gluten-free claim will mean less than 20ppm
Companies that sell products with any of the following claims on their labels will have to meet the 20ppm of gluten limit:
"Gluten-free"
"Free of gluten"
"Without gluten"
"No gluten"
It is most likely that several foods labeled as "gluten-free" already meet the new definition, the FDA emphasized.
Manufacturers and distributors of foods will be given a 12-month grace period after the new rule is published to bring their labels into full compliance with the new requirements.
Michael R. Taylor, the FDA's deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine, said "We encourage the food industry to come into compliance with the new definition as soon as possible and help us make it as easy as possible for people with celiac disease to identify foods that meet the federal definition of 'gluten-free'."
Why is gluten-free 20ppm and not zero ppm?
The FDA says it relies on scientifically validated methods for enforcing its regulations.
Current technology cannot reliably measure gluten presence at lower than 20ppm.
According to some research and available evidence, the FDA added, patients with celiac disease can tolerate trace amounts of gluten in foods without experiencing adverse health effects. Trace amounts is defined as up to 20 parts per million.
What is celiac disease?
Celiac disease is an immune system disorder. The patient's immune system reacts when exposed to gluten, resulting in damage to the absorptive surface of the small intestine.
The immune system of people with celiac disease reacts to a gluten protein called "gliadin". Gliadin can be found in barley, rye and oats (sometimes).
When the lining of the small intestine is damaged, it cannot absorb fats, carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins properly.
Celiac disease can affect people who are genetically predisposed at any age. In most cases symptoms start to appear during middle infancy.
The main signs and symptoms of celiac disease in