WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration will reopen the comment period Wednesday for its proposal on labeling foods as “gluten-free.”
The proposed rule conforms to the standard set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 2008, which requires that foods labeled as “gluten-free” not contain more than 20 ppm gluten. The standard has been adopted by 27 countries.
“Before finalizing our gluten-free definition, we want up-to-date input from affected consumers, the food industry and others to help assure that the label strikes the right balance,” said Michael Taylor, deputy commissioner for foods, in a statement. “We must take into account the need to protect individuals with celiac disease from adverse health consequences while ensuring that food manufacturers can meet the needs of consumers by producing a wide variety of gluten-free foods.”
Interested parties can offer comments and suggestions in docket number FDA-2005-N-0404 at www.regulations.gov. The docket will remain open for 60 days.
