Understanding Labeling Laws
Understanding Labeling Laws
And Why Wheat Free is NOT Gluten-Free
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) requires food manufacturers to disclose in plain language whether products contain any of the top eight food allergens. Under FALCPA (Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act), a "major food allergen" is an ingredient that is one of the following eight foods or food groups or an ingredient that contains protein derived from one of them:
a. milk
b. egg
c. fish
d. crustacean shellfish
e. tree nuts
f. wheat
g. peanuts
h. soybeans
IMPORTANT:
Barley, rye and oats are NOT considered major food allergens and therefore will NOT be listed as such. The most efficient way to determine if a product is free of gluten derived ingredients is to read the product label and call the manufacturer directly. For more information regarding ingredient names for wheat, barely, rye and oats please visit What is Gluten?
Helpful Links:
FDA Food Labeling Guide
U.S. Food and Drug Administration on "Gluten-Free" Labeling
