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Dear Listmates,

I'm forwarding a message from the Director of the Celiac Community
Foundation of Northern California
(www.celiaccommunity.org<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Cim3Bx4p_gAl0UoGq34_YZartwMHjKwL38_EhNzEb9AINSv2fbeNhbgBcxfzyMwy9O7d7Lc-j_zfh8Ba3RXpUv9Uewcx14XgvORzP0IyH2YtmTzmol45Sg==>)
who has launched a petition to try to move the FDA into action because
they continue to miss their own deadlines. Ms Jennifer Iscol's messages
follows.

Vic-Sunnyvale CA

Last year, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials made a commitment
to the celiac community that the gluten-free labeling rule would be
completed by the end of the third quarter of 2012 (September 30).  That
date has come and gone. The FDA has already heard from us. It's time for
higher officials to know the celiac community needs gluten-free labeling
standards, NOW!



The White House has provided us the opportunity to express our concerns
through an open petition. Make sure your voice is heard - sign the petition
on the White House We the People webpage.



Updates will be posted on the American Celiac Disease Alliance website  (
http://americanceliac.org/)



*What does the petition say?*


*"We petition the Obama administration to: *

*Finalize Standards for GLUTEN-FREE Labeling*

* *

*The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act required Health and
Human Services to set a gluten-free labeling rule by 2008 to aid people
with celiac disease, a life-threatening autoimmune condition. The only
known treatment is a strict gluten-free diet.*

* *

*An estimated 3 million Americans have celiac and even more may have
non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Without adequate labeling, those on a
medically  prescribed gluten-free diet struggle to make safe food choices
and stay well.*

* *

*Children with celiac cannot participate in the National School Lunch
Program when food service staff cannot determine if products are
gluten-free.*

* *

*Congress did its part by passing the law. It is up to the White House to
protect the health of millions of adults and children by finalizing the
rule NOW."*



*Why is it needed?*


In 2004, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act required
the Department of Health and Human Services to set standards for
gluten-free labeling by 2008. The rule is now over four years late. The FDA
is working hard to get the rules done, but the White House also must know
that the health of millions of Americans is at risk because they don't have
access to basic information about product ingredients.



*Will this petition make a difference?*


According to the White House, if enough people sign the petition, it will
be reviewed and administration officials will respond to the signers of the
petition. In other words, we'll have their attention.



*Who can sign it?*


Anyone age 13 and over can sign the petition. In order to sign, users must
create an account at WhiteHouse.gov and verify their email address. It's
quick and easy.



*How many signatures are needed?*


We need at least 25,000 signatures by November 2nd.  So don't dawdle! Get
your family, friends, neighbors, teachers, anyone you can, to a computer to
sign the petition.

*
*

*How to sign the petition?*


Go to the Celiac Disease Foundation of Northern California's home page and
follow the instructions.


http://www.celiaccommunity.org/

*Please provide references to back up claims of a product being GF or not GF*
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