EC Regulation for gluten-free foods

The public consultation on the EC Regulation (89/398/EEC) on the composition and labelling of foods suitable for people intolerant to gluten closed on the 30th September.

The legislation will be based on the new Codex standard for gluten, which was adopted in July 2008.

The EU Regulation is expected to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the end of 2008. Manufacturers will have a transition period of 3 years before products have to comply with the new requirements. The legislation will be mandatory from 1st January 2012.

Once the Regulation comes into force the term 'gluten-free' will only be able to be used for products with a level of gluten below 20mg/kg.  This category may be applied to some specialist products with Codex wheat starch, pure uncontaminated oat products and 'mainstream' products that comply with the new Codex standard.

The phrase 'very low gluten' will apply to products which have been specially processed to remove the gluten to a level between 20mg/kg and 100mg/kg.

Coeliac UK is currently working on producing the Coeliac UK Food Drink and Directory for 2009 which will be available as usual at the beginning of next year to guide people with coeliac disease on their gluten-free diet. 

We are currently working with food manufacturers and retailers to provide guidance on the Codex standard for gluten and its labelling implications.