<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
GFCO to Certify Snyder's Gluten-Free Pretzels
The Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) announces today that,
Snyder's of Hanover's Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks have met GFCO's stringent
qualifications and earned certified gluten-free status.
Auburn, WA, April 7, 2010: "Meeting what are widely regarded as the
gluten-free industry's Best Practices illustrates that Snyder's understands
the importance that safe, gluten-free foods play in the diets of celiacs,
the gluten intolerant, and others avoiding gluten in their diets," says
Channon Quinn, Director of Industry Programs, and GFCO.
GFCO certification is respected as the premier gluten-free certification for
all consumer goods. Snyder's has been in discussion with GFCO since
September of 2009. After weighing the pros, cons, and costs against safely
meeting market demand, Snyder's has completed the certification process.
"Snyder's is a huge producer of other, gluten-containing snack foods,"
continues Quinn, "which proposes complications new, gluten-free
manufacturers with dedicated facilities don't have to consider - primarily
contamination from lines running wheat flour-based products." Nevertheless,
Quinn says these factors can be overcome, as proven by other manufacturers
of GFCO's more than 4,000 certified products.
"As part of the certification process, Snyder's has successfully addressed
these considerations," says Quinn. "Our process mandates a carefully laid
out plan and lists of protocols related to production, quality control, and
packaging; all areas of Snyder's pretzel production process."
GFCO utilizes third-party auditors that inspect manufacturing facilities on
a regular basis, monitoring all production aspects of the GFCO certified
product.
"Some certification programs don't actually do onsite inspections, if you
can believe that," comments Cynthia Kupper, Executive Director of the Gluten
Intolerance Group of North America, under which the GFCO program is run. "We
not only conduct random and regular site visits, but we delve into
everything from ingredient sourcing to storage and handling, production,
cleaning and even airborne flour dust that can contaminate an otherwise
gluten-free product. It's extensive, as it should be because it's our health
we're talking about," she finishes.
As part of the GFCO application process, risk is determined for ingredients
and manufacturing, which helps determine the amount of raw materials,
equipment and finished product the company is required to test onsite. It
also determines the number of annual audits a company will have.
GFCO auditors are trained with years of experience working in plant
inspections for kosher, organic and HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical
Control Points). GFCO trains these auditors to also appraise gluten. GFCO
auditors may often do "spot gluten testing" as part of their inspections.
As well, GFCO pulls products randomly from the point of sale to send to labs
for detailed gluten testing without the company's knowledge. GFCO has
established a standard for certification at less than 10 ppm gluten, twice
as strict as that proposed by the FDA and accepted by Codex and the World
Health Organization. Rarely do GFCO-certified products test more than 5 ppm
gluten in laboratory testing.
It can often take a company several months to work through the certification
process. GFCO contractual requirements are stringent. In the end, it is our
experience that companies certify gluten-free with GFCO because they
recognize that we set the strictest requirements and they see the value
third-party validation provides to their commitment to the gluten-free
consumer market. Many GFCO-certified products also carry other third-party
certifications, such as organic and kosher.
"Consumer confidence increases with external certifications, and GFCO sets
the most rigorous standards for gluten-free," states Quinn.
The Gluten Free Certification Organization is a program of the Gluten
Intolerance Group of North America. GFCO currently provides audits in 10
countries. The Certified Gluten-Free logo is a registered trademark of GFCO
and a trusted, easy to find symbol that consumers rely on to know the foods
they choose are truly gluten-free. <http://www.GFCO.org/> www.GFCO.org;
<http://www.GLUTEN.net/> www.GLUTEN.net.
The global leader in pretzels and the nation's second largest snack food
company, Snyder's of Hanover was founded in 1909 and is a privately held
company that employs over 2,250 associates and operates nearly 1,800
distribution routes nationwide.
Snyder's is headquartered in Hanover, PA, also the location of its flagship
snack food manufacturing and distribution center where products are produced
and distributed to the eastern half of North America, the Caribbean, Central
and South America, and Europe. The Goodyear, Arizona plant produces
products for the Western half of the United States and Pacific Rim
countries. The Jeffersonville, Indiana plant produces and distributes
Krunchers! TM kettle potato chips, JaysTM potato chips, and GrandeTM
tortilla chip products primarily for the Midwest, Central, and Eastern
United States.
*Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the CELIAC List*
*******
To unsubscribe, email: mailto:[log in to unmask]
*******
|
