As you may have already read, the FDA has reopened commenting on gluten-free labeling. Because so many people do not have the time to go through the entire list of extremely long documents, or may not understand it, 1in133 has published answers to FAQs and a letter that you can sign which will be forwarded to the FDA. If the FDA requires lower levels for gluten-free labeling, will this effect pricing of gluten-free products? And if so, will this effect our economy?
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Labeling Standard
The FDA stated that in regards to gluten-free labeling, 20 ppm (parts per million) is still the lowest level of testing for gluten which they consider reliable. The 1in133 letter suggests that the FDA use the standard ELISA-5R Mendez test (measures under 5 parts per million of gluten / 2.5 parts per million of gliadin*) and the Morinaga test (measures under 0.3 parts per million wheat protein*).
Low-Gluten Labeling
Another prior proposal of the FDA for gluten-free labeling has nothing to do with gluten-free, but with “low gluten”. They had proposed to implement a two-tiered system, as is done in other countries, where we would have “gluten-free” and “low gluten”. The “gluten-free” would, of course, still possibly contain a small amount of gluten. The “low gluten” would contain a higher amount, but would maxed out at a specific amount. This would seem to be confusing and unnecessary, especially for those with a high gluten intolerance.
Questions About How Gluten-free Labeling Will Effect Us
- Would gluten-free products imported from other countries that are currently tested for under 20 ppm not be allowed in the U.S.?
- If manufacturers are to change suppliers to meet the lesser gluten measures would this cause a rise in prices for gluten-free products?
- Would not importing products from other countries effect the U.S. economy in a positive way?
- Would the manufacturers of gluten-free products who cannot afford to meet possibly higher prices from their suppliers close their doors, thus effecting the U.S. economy and other country’s economies in a negative way?
One may feel that you are being deceived when you purchase a package that states, “Gluten-Free”, only to find that there may be a small amount of gluten in that package. However, this is true on many of our products labeled fat-free, cholesterol-free, etc.
Please do let me know your thoughts on gluten-free labeling by leaving a comment below.
* http://www.glutenfreedietitian.com/newsletter/2011/02/28/assessing-the-gluten-content-of-foods-sandwich-elisas/