Planned FDA Study of Gluten-Free Consumers - comment online by May 5th

March 18, 2009

The Food and Drug Administration is still trying to figure out the best rules

for manufacturers to follow for gluten-free labeling of food products. A few

days ago, the agency posted a request for comments on its plans for an

experimental study, which will involve questionnaires to be completed by

consumers with and without celiac disease. Presently, plans call for the

questionnaires to be available online only.

You can view the plans and comment online by May 5th, or you can submit written

comments to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug

Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. All comments

should be identified with the following docket number: FDA-2009-N-0083.

064808f70d4

Here are the essential details of the planned study:

The Gluten-Free Labeling of Food Products Experimental Study will collect

information from both consumers who have celiac disease or gluten intolerance

and those who do not have either condition. The purpose of the study is to gauge

perceptions of characteristics related to claims of " gluten-free'' and allowed

variants (e.g., " free of gluten,'' " without gluten,'' " no gluten''), in addition

to other types of statements (e.g., " made in a gluten-free facility'' or " not

made in a facility that processes gluten-containing foods'') on the food label.

The study will also assess consumer understanding of " gluten-free'' claims on

foods that are naturally free of gluten, and gauge consumer reaction to a

product carrying a gluten claim concurrently with a statement about the amount

of gluten the product contains.

The data will be collected over the Internet from samples derived from two

sources: (1) A membership list from a celiac disease special interest

organization and (2) an online consumer panel. Participation in the study is

voluntary…. Five thousand adults will complete the experiment.

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