21
Jan
2024
06
Jul
2023
Gluten-Free Claim Removed from KA-ME Hong Kong Express Rice Noodles
In May 2022, Gluten Free Watchdog (GFWD) reported KA-ME Hong Kong Express Rice Noodles to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) via the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) Adverse Event Reporting System (CAERS). At the time, product packaging included a gluten-free claim yet barley amylase was declared in the ingredients list. In February 2023, GFWD submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with FDA to find out what action was taken on our complaint. One of the...
04
Oct
2022
Soy Sauce: More insightful news from FDA based on Gluten Free Watchdog FOIA requests
We recently filed 3 Freedom of Information Act requests with FDA for products containing hydrolyzed/fermented protein. All products had been reported to FDA for facial misbranding by Gluten Free Watchdog. What follows is a summary of the information received from FDA to date. A huge thank you to Adam, one of GFWD’s pro-bono attorneys for filing these requests. FOIAs were submitted for the following products: Three Crabs Fish Sauce. Ingredients list reads, “hydrolyzed vegetable protein.” This ingredient declaration hasn’t been allowed since...
03
Aug
2022
Gluten Free Watchdog presents with FDA at IAFP on Gluten in Fermented/Hydrolyzed Foods
Amy Keller, MS, RDN, LD, an associate at Gluten Free Watchdog presented with FDA at the International Association of Food Protection conference. The session, titled "Gluten in Fermented or Hydrolyzed Foods: Regulatory, Consumer, and Analytical Perspectives" was presented today, August 3, 2022. Gluten Free Watchdog was invited by FDA to represent the voice of the consumer. We greatly appreciate this opportunity. The slides presented by Gluten Free Watchdog are available at: https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/fdapresentatiinamykelleraugust-3/
23
Mar
2021
Do folks with celiac disease really have to worry about enzymes and growth media?
Short answer: We don’t know. This is due to the limitations of the assays currently used to detect and measure fermented or hydrolyzed gluten. Some facts about enzymes: 1. According to the Enzyme Technical Association, “In most cases, enzymes used in food are used as processing aids where they aid in the manufacturing of food or food ingredients but do not have a function in the final food product.” 2. Also according to the ETA, “nearly all commercially prepared foods contain at least...
04
Jan
2021
Chef Myron’s sauces containing wheat-based soy sauce FINALLY recalled
Recalls for eight Chef Myron’s sauces posted to the FDA’s enforcement report page the week of December 16th. The reason given for all recalls: “Product utilized a gluten-free claim but has as an ingredient a fermented soy sauce that is produced from wheat which was not processed to remove the gluten prior to fermentation.” It is huge that these recalls are happening. Finally, the FDA appears willing to recall foods labeled gluten-free containing wheat-based soy sauce as an ingredient. This is...
14
Dec
2020
Troubling statement by the Prolamin Working Group on the determination of gluten in fermented foods containing partially hydrolyzed gluten
Gluten Free Watchdog is very troubled by a statement recently released by the Prolamin Working Group “on the determination of gluten in fermented foods containing partially hydrolyzed gluten.” While we have a great deal of respect for each of the authors, the insinuation that the FDA did not lead with science in determining that “the R5 Competitive ELISA method is not suitable for the detection and quantification of gluten in any fermented or hydrolyzed food” comes across as exceedingly dismissive...
13
Oct
2020
Is beer made using malted barley and crafted to remove gluten safe for folks with celiac disease? FDA says it is not possible to know based on current testing methods
This post is part of a series covering the FDA’s Final Rule on Gluten-Free Labeling of Fermented or Hydrolyzed Foods. The rule is available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/08/13/2020-17088/food-labeling-gluten-free-labeling-of-fermented-or-hydrolyzed-foods Background (Important): FDA regulates the following:Beer made without malted barley but with hopsBeer made without hops but with malted barleyBeer made without either malted barley or hopsTTB regulates malt beverages including traditional beers made with both malted barley and hops. Bottom Line: Beer under the labeling jurisdiction of FDA that is made from gluten-containing grains (including malted barley) cannot bear...
13
Oct
2020
Gluten Content of Distilled Alcohol: Gluten Free Watchdog Summary Report
October 13, 2020: This report was published in 2018. It is being released publicly due to discussion around FDA’s 2020 rule on gluten-free labeling of fermented and hydrolyzed foods and ingredients. Please address any questions to Tricia Thompson at info@glutenfreewatchdog.org. The report is available at https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/AlcoholReportGFWD2.pdf
18
Sep
2020