This article was published in Medical Nutrition Matters (Winter 2019 Volume 38 No. 3), a publication of Dietitians in Medical Nutrition Therapy–a practice group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NIMADietitian-Experiences-Using-a-Novel-Portable-Personal-Testing-Gadget-For-Gluten
Products in the immediate queue for testing at Gluten Free Watchdog. Remember, test requests are from subscribers and requests are made for any number of reasons, including peace of mind. Testing does NOT necessarily mean that a product issue is suspected. Links to test reports are emailed to Gluten Free Watchdog subscribers.
During this period of food shortages and supply disruptions as a result of COVID-19, FDA is allowing manufacturers to make certain ingredient substitutions without changing the ingredients list. FDA stated in a letter to Gluten Free Watchdog that their COVID-19 food labeling flexibilities:
“… are not to be used when they may pose a health or safety issue. This would include the introduction of an ingredient containing gluten. Substitutions, in any amount, are not appropriate without a corresponding label […]
The FDA has responded to the group letter submitted by Gluten Free Watchdog and six other patient/consumer advocacy and professional groups outlining our concerns about FDA’s temporary policy on food labeling changes during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it may have on the celiac disease community.
The FDA response further clarifies agency position and elaborates on the wording used in their guidance document. Regardless, it appears unlikely that FDA will be amending the current guidance. The agency has […]
Background: If you are not familiar with this policy, it states in a nutshell that during this period of food shortages and supply disruptions, FDA is allowing manufacturers to make certain ingredient substitutions without changing the ingredients list. For additional background information, please read last week’s post on this guidance document available at https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/fdas-temporary-policy-regarding-certain-food-labeling-requirements-implications-for-those-with-celiac-disease/
Letter submitted to FDA In an extraordinary effort, seven patient/consumer advocacy and professional groups joined forces to submit a letter to FDA outlining concerns about this […]
Many of you have reached out about the FDA’s guidance document regarding labeling entitled “Temporary Policy Regarding Certain Food Labeling Requirements During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Minor Formulation Changes and Vending Machines.” The entire document is available at https://www.fda.gov/media/138315/download. If you haven’t yet read this guidance, it states in a nutshell that during this period of food shortages and supply disruptions, FDA is allowing manufacturers to make certain ingredient substitutions without changing the ingredients list.
Allowed substitutions include those […]
Products in the immediate queue for testing at Gluten Free Watchdog. Remember, test requests are from subscribers and requests are made for any number of reasons, including peace of mind. Testing does NOT necessarily mean that a product issue is suspected.
We are making progress but there is still more work to do. To date, six of nine products reported to FDA by Gluten Free Watchdog in 2020 have been recalled. If you have the energy during these trying times, please send emails to the HHS and FDA personnel listed below. Emails are recommended at the moment because FDA personnel may be working remotely. However, if you prefer to mail letters or post cards, this is of course fine too. […]
During the first 4½ months of 2020, Gluten Free Watchdog reported 8 products appearing to be facially misbranded to FDA and 1 product to USDA. Products are considered facially misbranded (a term coined by the GFWD team) when they are labeled gluten-free but the ingredients list includes an ingredient not allowed in foods making a gluten-free claim.
As of May 12, 2020, 6 products reported to FDA have been recalled for gluten-free misbranding. This is actually extraordinary given that very […]
As stated in an earlier post, during a pandemic is an interesting time to be raising awareness about a disease. Gluten Free Watchdog’s activities are a bit subdued this year but nonetheless important and hopefully helpful to the community. First up… an update on our 2019 initiatives.
Before moving on to Gluten Free Watchdog’s new initiatives for Celiac Awareness Month 2020, here is a status update on our 2019 initiatives—allergen advisory statements for wheat on foods labeled gluten-free, gluten in […]
