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

Last week, information was reported, which has now circulated among groups,
and in blogposts, that the FDA's proposed rules on GF labeling "were
effective in August." That statement is INCORRECT.

Since 2004, when we worked so hard to get the Food Allergen Labeling and
Consumer Protection Act passed, the celiac community has been for this
announcement from the FDA. Unfortunately, it will be a bit longer.

According to the FDA,

"The final rule to define the food labeling term "gluten-free" will not be
issued until sometime after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publishes
a Federal Register notice announcing the availability of its draft report on
a safety assessment for gluten intake by individuals with Celiac disease.
FDA will be soliciting public comments on that draft which will be
considered along with the comments we previously received on the proposed
rule on gluten-free food labeling as well as the findings of the safety
assessment itself in developing a final rule.

The notice on the safety assessment is expected to be published shortly, but
it is premature to anticipate the issuance date of the final rule. However,
when the notice and final rule are published, they likely will
be posted at FDA's website www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/lab-cat.html#gluten
Therefore, you may
wish to visit that website periodically for any updates."

It is not clear when the safety assessment report will be published. As soon
as the ACDA can confirm the report is available, the information will be
posted on the Celiac Listserv and distributed through our email network.

To sign-up for the ACDA's news alerts go to
www.americanceliac.org/advocacy.htm then scroll down and click on 'Action
E-list'

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at
[log in to unmask]

Andrea

Andrea Levario

Executive Director

American Celiac Disease Alliance

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