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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
Archives are at: Http://Listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?LIST=CELIAC
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