Requirements for Gluten Free Status

[Tammy]

I would like some more information on how to determine whether a product can be labeled Gluten Free. My company makes a line of tomato based products - salsa and pasta sauce - many of which are free from any gluten products.

I was told by a woman who has Celiac Disease, that the product must not be contaminated in any way with gluten. We do produce a few sauces that contain gluten and they are manufactured using the same equipment. We rinse the equipment after each line has finished, but I would like to know if this is satisfactory or if there is a special requirement.

We would like to be able to market our products to the Celiac Group if we are sure that are products meet the necessary standards.

[aklap]

Hi Tammy,

Thanks for stopping by. Also thank you for putting the effort into researching this. I appreciate it - as I think all gluten sensitive people do. I think if other manufactures would do this, it'd make things a lot easier on us that have to deal with this. One thing you will find, is that celiacs or gluten sensitive people are extremely loyal. If you make a good product at a fair price that can be trusted to be gluten free...you will have many many customers! It appears your company has been around a long time (since 1930's). With a track record like that...I think you are serious about this .

Hmmm I don't think I've ever been asked a question like that before. I don't know any of the specifics/rules/regulations from a manufacturing aspect, but I could provide you with some info.

Cross contamination would be a big issue. Even the smallest speck could create a reaction. There are many that will not purchase any food that is manufactured in a facility that also has gluten. Dedicated lines are much prefered. It would require much more than "Rinsing" the equipment to clean up any possible gluten. Exactly HOW you'd go about that in a manufacturing environment...I could not tell you...other than...CLEAN EVERYTHING. I do know that gluten is not water soluble. It is alcohol soluble, however.

[isto]

Hi, Tammy!

I am so glad you want to take the gluten free issue seriously. If you are able to produce your food line with gluten free items, please make sure you let us know! As Al said, we are VERY loyal!!!

[aklap]

Independent Certification Program for Gluten-Free Food Processing

http://www.foodconsumer.org/777/8/New_Food_Safety_Program_-Independent_Certification_Program_for_Gluten-Free_Food_Processing.shtml


http://www.gfco.org/

Mission

Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) provides an independent service to supervise gluten-free food production according to a consistent, defined, science-based standard, that is confirmed by field inspections, in order to achieve heightened consumer confidence and safety.


The 8 Steps to getting certified: http://www.gfco.org/8step.htm
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[aklap]

Since Shilo brought up her dealings with HolGrain & labeling, I thought I'd bump this up.
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa