<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Well I thought I would be bombarded by help on this issue, but much to my
surprise, received very few responses. Most just wanted to show support in
getting the FDA to require gluten to be listed as it's own entity on the
label. I was hitting brick walls everywhere I went for info. My next step
was to call the FDA.

However, just yesterday I got a really exciting reply from the Netherlands!
here it is in its entirety!!!
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Dear Mimi,

The FAO and WHO have a joint organisation called the Codex Alimentarius
Commission which is discussing standards for food and agricultural
products in order to facilitate world wide trade. They have numerous
sub-committees and amongst these is the Codex Committee on Food
Labelling. This committee has drafted a standard for labelling known
food allergens on all packaged food.

At present the list of allergens to be labelled includes gluten but there
is still a discussion going on whether is should stay on the list.  The
proposal of the Codex Committee is presently at step 5??  (I'm not sure)
of the procedure and it can take years before it's final.  If this is
finally accepted, packaged foods will have to labelled if they contain
gluten.

The representative from the AOECS (Association of European Coeliac
Societies) has been in contact with the Codex Committee for many years
pressing for gluten to be (and stay) included in the list of allergens.
It will, however, be important to keep lobbying at the national level
(each country is represented in the committee) that gluten will stay on
this proposed list.

The Codex Commission has a website at
www.fao.org/waicent/faoinfo/economic/esn/CODEX/Default.htm
where you can find more information about the organisation and
procedures.


Best wishes,

Maria Heigl, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
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Thankyou Maria!!!!!
I have not looked into this yet but it is so exciting that there is HOPE.

another reply:
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I am living in Germany, and the Celiacie Org.  here publishes a booklet,
listing GF foods.  Foods that are garanteed GF by the manuftrs.  I am
curently trying to put this list Online.  But since manfactoring
processes vary from Country to Country, such a list would have to be made
for each country seperately.  If you are a member of a Celiace org.  in
your country, maybe you can inquire if they have such a list, and if it
is online, or if they would like it to be online.  If not, push them to
do it.

Andreas, Frankfurt Germany
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that is probably good advice, to work THRU a celiac organisation, so maybe
we can pursue that venue....

Also it was mentioned (and I do agree), that people on this list have got
to stop relying on their listmates to tell them if a certain product is GF
or not. We have to be more proactive. CALL the company! It's EASY, just
dial up Information and ask for the co. that carries the product and their
city. I am really appreciating posts that include the phone # so we can
individually check on products (tho i just posted about milk and had
already lost the # I called!). Or, you can write the company. There is a
good letter in the archives which you can just print out and send. THIS IS
THE BEST WAY WE EACH CAN RAISE AWARENESS AND MAKE COMPANIES REALIZE THAT WE
ARE A GOOD MARKET!

Let's keep each other posted on any developments and findings...

UNITED WE STAND! Mimi