Health
FDA proposes gluten wording for celiac
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 12, 2007
The Food and Drug Administration recommended a definition for "gluten-free" to be used in food labeling to help people with celiac disease identify foods that are free of the proteins found in wheat, rye and barley that trigger their disease. Oats were not included because there is no consensus among nutritionists that they play a role, according to the FDA.
The proposal was published in the Jan. 23 Federal Register and is a response to a mandate by Congress to develop such a definition by August 2008. The proposal is open for comments until April 23.
Celiac disease affects as many as 3 million people in the United States but only a tenth have been diagnosed. Adhering to a gluten-free diet is known to be an effective treatment for the debilitating inflammatory disorder of the small intestines.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/02/12/hlbf0212.htm.
