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Special Edition  August 2, 2011    
In This Issue  
Positive Results - FDA Reopens GF Labeling Proposal 
ACDA Press Release on FDA Announcement   Dear D, 


Today, is the 7th anniversary of the passage of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA). 

To celebrate, and likely in response to the pleas from the celiac community, the FDA announced on update on the status of the gluten-free labeling rules. 

Read on to learn the details!  
 
    
Positive Results - FDA Reopens GF Labeling Proposal    


Three months ago, hundreds from the celiac community rallied in Washington, DC at the Gluten-Free Labeling Summit. The goal was quite simple, get FDA's attention, show the agency that people who must follow a gluten-free diet must have clear, consistent labeling for gluten-free foods. 

At the ACDA's urging, FDA's Deputy Commissioner for Foods, Michael Taylor, made an unannounced visit, and explained the agency was hard at work on the labeling rule.  He also assured the crowd, 'We hear you.'  

Were we successful?  You bet. Today, the FDA announced it was reopening the GF labeling rule to allow for additional comments, along with the gluten-free safety assessment, a key component in the development of the gluten free labeling standard. 

The public will be able to comment on the assessment during the 60-day comment by going to www.regulations.gov and entering Docket No.  FDA-2005-N-0404

For more information:
  
Gluten-Free Portal (scroll to Gluten-Free):
 Questions and Answers on the Gluten-Free Labeling Proposed Rule 
 
Consumer Update on the Gluten-Free Labeling Proposed Rule   
 ACDA Press Response on FDA's Announcement 
 

The ACDA is extremely grateful to Mike Taylor, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods, for listening to our community and finally making this issue a priority. We  hope that will continue and the FDA completes action on the standard before  the year ends.



FDA Reopens Comment Period on  Gluten-Free Labeling Proposal
Food agency  announcement coincides with the anniversary of allergen law mandating standards  for products consumed by individuals with celiac disease and others adhering to  medically prescribed gluten-free diet.

ALEXANDRIA, VA - August 2, 2011 - Today, the FDA announced it was reopening the public comment period  on its gluten-free labeling proposal mandated in a seven-year old allergen  labeling law according to the American Celiac Disease Alliance (ACDA), the national advocacy organization  representing patients, researchers, food manufacturers and others serving the  celiac community. 
 
Along with news about opening up the  comment period, the agency released a safetyassessment, analyzing the research on the amount of gluten that can  safely be consumed by those who have celiac disease. The 60-day comment period  for both the overall gluten-free labeling proposal and the safety assessment  will run from the date FDA's notice is published in the Federal Register. The  docket number is FDA-2005-N-0404 and  comments can be submitted by going to www.regulations.gov.
 
The FDA is allowing time for additional comments to ensure that it has the  best scientific, evidence-based information to establish the country's first  ever standard for gluten-free products. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer  Protection Act  (FALCPA) directed the FDA to come up with a standard and  the agency in 2007 proposed that gluten-free food contain less than 20 parts per  million (ppm) of gluten.  Action was to be completed the following year,  instead the regulation then stalled.   
 
Dr. Alessio  Fasano of the University of Maryland's Center for Celiac Research has authored  research demonstrating a 20ppm would be safe. "This is a standard that has been  in use in Europe for almost two decades, and the science supports the U.S.  adopting it as well," said Fasano.   
 
Advocates, led by the ACDA,  have been pressuring FDA for years to complete the gluten-free regulations. In  May, hundreds from the celiac and gluten-free community rallied at the  Gluten-Free Labeling Summit in Washington, DC. The event garnered nationwide  attention as baking expert, and cookbook author, Jules Shepard, assisted by  other gluten-free chefs, constructed the world's largest gluten-free  cake.  Michael Taylor, FDA's Deputy Commissioner for Food,  attended providing assurance the agency was working hard to complete the  gluten-free regulation.  
 
 Read more  
   

 


The ACDA's advocacy efforts have raised the voice of the celiac community to new levels.  
 
Help strengthen that voice - Donate today.    

Visit the Celiac Web Page at Http://www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html
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