FDA Proposes New Gluten-Free Regulations

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed to impose tighter restrictions on food manufacturers which label their foods as gluten-free.

The FDA said that foods already carrying a gluten-free label are not regulated by the FDA. Under the proposal, the only foods that would be allowed to be labeled gluten-free are those that do not contain a protein that affects celiac sufferers, often found in rye, barley and wheat.

Celiac is a disease that affects people who cannot digest the gluten protein. The FDA said approved gluten-free foods that conform to strict standards would help those affected to follow strict dietary requirements.

The FDA has set up a website where people can comment on the proposal for three months.