New Update:
- The FDA has recently announced plans to require food manufacturers to disclose whether their products contain gluten or other common food allergens. This move aims to improve transparency and provide crucial information to consumers.
- Stakeholders are being asked to provide feedback on how food labeling for gluten-containing products can be enhanced. The FDA is particularly interested in data on adverse reactions to ingredients like rye and barley, as well as current practices of gluten disclosure by food companies.
- The Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” report highlighted the importance of ingredient transparency in addressing chronic childhood diseases. This focus on transparency could lead to actions on processed foods and nutrition labeling.
- Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. emphasized the need for clear information on food ingredients to support health conditions and dietary needs. The current requirement only covers nine major allergens, leaving out grains like rye and barley.
- The FDA is seeking more data on gluten content and cross-contamination issues to inform future regulations. The agency is also considering new guidelines on when the “may contain gluten” label should be used to avoid confusion among consumers.
- The recent guidance from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization sets thresholds for gluten levels in food products. This reaffirms the definition of gluten-free products and provides clarity on labeling requirements.
- The Celiac Disease Foundation praised the FDA’s initiative as a step towards greater transparency in food labeling. They emphasized the importance of combining science, lived experience, and transparency in shaping future regulations.