20
Jan
2025
16
Jan
2025
Final FDA guidance published on evaluating the public health importance of food allergens other than the major food allergens: What are the implications for gluten?
This month (January 2025) the FDA published the final guidance, “Evaluating the Public Health Importance of Food Allergens Other Than the Major Food Allergens Listed in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: Guidance for FDA Staff and Interested Parties.” It is available at https://www.fda.gov/media/157637/download?attachment. Gluten Free Watchdog submitted comments on the draft. This week, GFWD had a very informative and helpful call with FDA staff. We discussed the changes that were made to the final guidance...
03
Dec
2024
Trader Joe’s responds to Gluten Free Watchdog’s meeting request about gluten-free rolled oats
Bottom Line: Gluten Free Watchdog reached out to Trader Joe’s asking for a conference to discuss how to make gluten-free claims on Trader Joe’s gluten-free rolled oats reliable. Trader Joe’s response was basically, no thank you. Trader Joe’s believes their oats are in compliance with the gluten-free labeling rule. They are calling the results of testing commissioned by Gluten Free Watchdog false positives. They write in their response letter, “Certain gluten tests interact with some other non-gluten ingredients, resulting in false positives,...
15
Nov
2024
To bakers pushing your sourdough wheat bread on folks with celiac disease–STOP
Please feel free to share a printout of the pdf with any bakers who believe their sourdough bread is magical. It is available at https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SourdoughBread2024Simplified.pdf Screenshot
11
Nov
2024
Product warning for Progresso Manhattan Clam Chowder from Gluten Free Watchdog
Bottom line: This soup is labeled gluten-free and lists yeast extract in the ingredients. Per the manufacturer, the yeast extract is derived from barley. Gluten Free Watchdog has long recommended that individuals with celiac disease avoid products NOT labeled gluten-free containing the ingredient “yeast extract” unless the manufacturer confirms the source to be gluten-free. It is concerning that a labeled gluten-free product contains yeast extract derived from barley. We have filed a complaint with the FDA. Under the FDA’s rule for the...
07
Nov
2024
Open letter to Trader Joe’s about their “gluten-free” rolled oats on behalf of the Gluten Free Watchdog community
Dear Trader Joe’s, In September of 2024, Gluten Free Watchdog commissioned testing on 6 bags of Trader Joe’s gluten-free rolled oats. Results ranged from < 5 parts per million to 120 parts per million of gluten. Full results are available at https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/product/trader-joes-gluten-free-rolled-oats-2024/1372. These results were shared with you but you have chosen to not respond. We also tested a bag of Trader Joe’s gluten-free rolled oats and Trader Joe’s organic gluten-free rolled oats with ancient grains and seeds that were part...
01
Oct
2024
How to file a gluten-free food complaint with the FDA starting October 1, 2024: The process has changed
On October 1, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration updated the way in which consumers must go about reporting food-related issues to the agency. You will no longer contact an FDA consumer complaint coordinator. Reports should now be filed with the Human Foods Program either by phone or through the online safety reporting portal: Phone 1-888-723-3366 Online safety reporting portal https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov/SRP2/en/Home.aspx?sid=94c7561c-d4de-4e38-9f87-3bb240d20776 The Human Foods Program will assess and evaluate complaints. The new Office of Inspections and Investigations will follow up...
24
Sep
2024
Next up in the immediate testing queue at Gluten Free Watchdog (9/24/24)
The products in the photo have been requested for testing by subscribers to Gluten Free Watchdog. They will be sent to the lab this week. Requests are made for any number of reasons, including peace of mind regarding favorite foods.Related
10
Aug
2024
Correcting the Record: Gluten Free Watchdog’s Testing of Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Almost Everything Bagels
Background For those of you who have not been following the Moms Across America testing of gluten-free labeled products, and in particular Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Almost Everything Bagels, here are links to the test results which have been moved to the public side of the website, along with a more concise summary: Test results: https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/product/trader-joes-gf-almost-everything-bagels-2024/1348 Summary: https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/test-result-from-moms-across-america-on-trader-joes-gluten-free-almost-everything-bagels-possibly-false-positive/ Current situation There has recently been a mischaracterization of Gluten Free Watchdog posted by another website covering this testing issue. The following statement was posted on...
23
Jul
2024