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New labelling laws

New gluten free labelling laws!

3rd October 2011 - by Glutafin

New labelling laws will be a great help for coeliacs!

From January 2012 new EC legislation on gluten free labelling will come into force, and will apply to all food packaging and even restaurant and cafe menus.

Therefore from January 2012 you may be seeing these new terms on your food purchases:

gluten free
very low gluten
suitable for coeliacs
suitable for most coeliacs

Manufacturers can only use these claims when the following applies:

1. Gluten free - only applies to food which has 20 parts per million (ppm) or less of gluten

2. Very low gluten – only applies for foods which have between 21 and 100 ppm

3. No gluten-containing ingredients - this term is not covered by law but is an important option to give you more choice. It applies to foods that are made with ingredients that don’t contain gluten and where good cross contamination controls are in place.

“Parts per million” – usually abbreviated as “ppm” – means “out of a million.” "Parts per Million" is a way to quantify very low concentrations of substances.

Watch out!

Someone with coeliac disease should not eat a lot of these very low gluten foods on a daily basis as they may make you unwell. This is because it may contain some ingredients that are too sensitive for you. Foods like this will contain a small amount of gluten e.g. codex wheat starch is one ingredient. This ingredient is safe for coelaics but may affect those very very sensitive to gluten.

Great news!

‘Suitable for coeliacs’ is another claim you will start on packaging of foods 20ppm or less of gluten and ‘Suitable for most coeliacs’ on 21-100ppm foods.

The claims will be placed on foods that are also naturally gluten free foods, specialist substitute products which may contain Codex wheat starch (these are products mainly on prescription) and pure, uncontaminated oats.

The Food Standards Agency has produced guidance for caterers and manufacturers to help with adjustment to the law. So hopefully eating out will become a lot easier for you!

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Your Comments

says:
Thank goodness someone, somewhere is helping.
We take ages reading labels, perhaps now things will be easier.

As for eating out, we have given up.

17th October 2011

David Miller says:
This is all very well but what happens in ,say a cafe or restuarant, where the menu does not make any reference to gluten albeit that some items may well be gluten free.

17th October 2011

Hilary Tattershall says:
Presumably the imminent change in the law is behind some manufacturers changing their labels now. For example Walkers crisps used to say "suitable for coeliacs", but now they warn that they are made in a factory where gluten is present. Some Doritos also did not used to declare any gluten-containing ingredients, but now they do. This doesn't feel as if the changes will be more helpful, but actually reduce the number of items I might buy from a supermarket!

17th October 2011

kim banks says:
I am finding it so difficult to read the labels and work out what i can and cant eat so i am not sure the new way will be easier for me or just more confusing. Like hilary says many thinks use to say somethings but they have changed the labels. i think it is a big learning curve and we have to watch everything that we cook with etc or i we will be ill and it doesnt take me much at all.
Here is looking to the future re labelling !!!!!!!

18th October 2011

Eileen Hume says:
This change will make shopping a more pleasant experience. Hopefully the online shopping versions will encorporate this information. When searching for gluten free you usually only get a small number of hits for a given type of food when you know they must stock more varieties. You would be lost without the Coeliac Society Food List

18th October 2011

Robert Holloway says:
I have been getting so quick at reading labels I was considering writing to the Guiness book of records for a possible speed reading of ingredients record!!
This will help a great deal in the long term; especially for my youngest daughter who is a Coeliac too

17th October 2011

Jennifer Cribbes says:
I've also recently noticed that foods i would previously eat including Walkers square crisps which had the "suitable for coeliacs" stated previously, now have made in a factory which handles gulten and wheat. I just feel completely confused as to what I can safely eat i.e. have they always been made in the factory handling the gluten or is it new?? I just wonder if more companies will add the warning to cover themselves which will further limit choices.

17th October 2011

Julie says:
I agree with Hilary, I think this will reduce things that I can buy too. I think manufacturers will put the warning that they are made in a factory where gluten is present on a lot of their food to cover their backs.

17th October 2011

Carmel Kehoe says:
What about cross contamination? The product ingredience may be gluten free but may suffer cross contamination. How can this be avoided?

17th October 2011

Mike Pearce says:
Great news ! Wil be so much easier to read the label but i think it could be confusing for some.
Eating out brrrrrrr too much hassel. Have given up also.

17th October 2011

kathleen avis says:
Saving time searching when it will be there in black and white.

18th October 2011

Robert Holloway says:
I have been getting so quick at reading labels I was considering writing to the Guiness book of records for a possible speed reading of ingredients entry!!
This will help a great deal in the long term; especially for my youngest daughter who is a Coeliac too

17th October 2011

Glutafin says:
The new labelling laws to state gluten free/suitable for coeliacs means no cross contamination can occur by the manufacturer. Some foods may be cut out as now they must follow and state the correct labelling so we know for coeliacs it is better to be safe!

18th October 2011

Dianne Dagnall says:
This will help a lot, you get so fed up reading labels and as for eating out its a nightmare, I have given up with this.

So thank goodness for this new legislation

18th October 2011

Vera Lloyd says:
The new labelling will be helpful, thanks to all who champion our cause.
As for restaurants, Wetherspoons menu has Gluten free marked on certain dishes also our local Fish & Chip shop has a Gluten Free Day when changing their oil. When out also ask to see the head chief they can be most helpful but unfortunately the standard of fresh fruit salads offered can vary considerably so I would VERY much appreciate a gooey desert like everyone else!

18th October 2011

Peter Reed says:
Beware! This is what I got back from Walkers.... I think all manufacturers will just be covering themselves! :-( Thank you for your recent enquiry about the labelling of our products in relation to your diet. We are making changes as to how we label our products, following a change in legislation. The change to legislation means that from 2012, food manufacturers will no longer be able to use a 'suitable for Coeliacs' claim, as this statement is being phased out. Food manufacturers have previously been able to display this statement on products where the level of gluten was less than 200 parts per million. We have already begun to make these changes to our labelling and will complete this across our full range of products by the end of 2011. At the same time we will be improving our allergen labelling information to make it more comprehensive and easier to locate on pack. Below is an example of how this new information will be displayed on our products. Thai Sweet Chilli flavour crisps. Ingredients: Potatoes, Sunflower Oil (26%), Thai Sweet Chilli Seasoning, Salt, Firming Agent (Calcium Chloride).Thai Sweet Chilli Seasoning contains: Sugar, Fructose, Flavouring, Dried Buttermilk, Dried Tomato, Dried Onion, Hydrolysed Soya Protein, Dried Garlic, Dried Soy Sauce (made with wheat), Herbs, Basil Extract, Dried Green and Red Peppers, Red Pepper Oil, Chilli Powder, Colour (Paprika Extract) Allergy Advice:Contains: Milk, Soya, Wheat, GlutenMade in factory that also handles: Barley, Celery, Mustard It will take several months for us to transition to the new labelling formats. This may mean however, as our packaging is updated, there may be two different pack designs in market, with one reflecting the Coeliac diet suitability and the new design with this statement removed, in line with the new legislation.

18th October 2011

Dave Knapp says:
At 41 and only just been confirmed as a Coeliac I am finding this all too much. Is there a drink out there that will give me all of my needs so I can just give up on food all together ?
Terms like : suitable for most coelaics just baffle me, how am I supposed to know if I am one of the most or not ?

18th October 2011

Kathy says:
I'm not coeliac but tolerate gluten poorly a significant amount of the time. I was initially hopeful when I read about the new labelling rules...but then I remembered my sister-in-law's problems with my nephew who has a severe nut allergy and doesn't tolerate dairy well.
Since the labelling was changed re nut content, it has been more difficult to find foods which companies are prepared to guarantee as being nut free. Many supermarkets and restaurants now use the phrase "may contain nuts" as they cannot guarantee against cross-contamination, whereas previously the same items were said to be safe for people with nut allergies. It can't be that all the recipes changed, so it appears that companies are now using a blanket term to protect themselves, reducing the number of nut free items available and restricting choice. I hope that the same thing will not apply with gluten. Coeliacs have enough restrictions on their food choices. If companies decide they cannot risk using the terms "gluten free" or " suitable for coeliacs" that will be bad news!

18th October 2011

Lynsey says:
I agree with Dave - I have been a coeliac for 5 years now and dont believe I am very sensitive but how are new coeliacs supposed to know. The rules seem a bit vague...

As for eating out, does this mean restaurants have to label everything or is just guidance for them? For those that have had some bad experiences eating out, dont give up! I have had bad experiences, but Ive also had some really good ones. Its just hit and miss to find out which ones have an owner who really cares about the customers and providing a better service - they are out there I promise! Over the past few years me and my Mum have persuaded several of our local eateries to provide gluten free options, labelling or whatever and they say they are so glad they have. Our fish and chip shop get people from all over the country coming just for a gluten free fish supper, because they know they can get there. We also have a local pizza place making pizzas for us, and a cafe making lovely cakes. My point is... put a bit of pressure on them and they will find it is not as hard as they think...

What we could do with is a more comprehensive site that lists gluten free eateries so they can get more business and be encouraged to keep providing for us!

Good luck to all the newbies with the labelling :)

19th October 2011

Glutafin says:
If you have any gluten free restaurants to recommend or want to search for some in your area Glutafin offer over 200 cafe and restaurants in the UK that are offering gluten free food. Find out more on the My Favourite Restaurants page on the Recipe tab above or copy this link here http://www.glutafin.co.uk/recipes/my-favourite-restaurants/

19th October 2011

Helen says:
I have been a coeliac for over 30 years now, and during that time I have seen and experienced many changes to foods that are considered Gluten Free. Basically, the changes are needed to protect sufferers. The thing is manufacturers never used to be sued for their "fluff ups" in food labelling - indeed when I first started you were lucky if any ingredients were listed at all. Over the years my health has suffered many times due to insufficient labelling and as I have a severe and immediate reaction (especially to wheat) I welcome any change that will help me stay healthy. As for the manufacturers - they will catch up when the sales of their products fall - they always do. Changes to their recepies usually follow quickly, trouble is they usually increase prices to cater for this. As for eating out, I find it much easier now than it used to be, as caterers are becoming more aware. We just have to make sure they understand and vote with our feet if we feel uncertain. There are plenty of places out there - we just need to make everyone more aware. The other day we had cake and tea at a place called "tea on the green" in Westward Ho! and the lady there makes gf cakes that are to die for - but she doesnt label them so as it puts non gf customers off. She says they have all been eating them for years and come back time and time again, so they obviously cant tell the difference. Well done Tea on The Green.

19th October 2011

jo Weir says:
I have only been diagnosed for 15 months, so still learning! I have noticed that packaging changes are now very much in evidence, and definitely agree that, sadly, it sems the 'blanket covering' is becoming the norm now, and that I am finding it all even more confusing. The result is that I am now getting worried, and am not buying things which I had previously believed from their allergy advice to be OK. I do not believe that the manufacturers have changed the way they produce the food, nor altered the recipes, so can only assume that what I thought from their labelling was safe, really wasn't. Never mind the new labelling - I shall go back to purchasing only items listed as definites in the Coeliac UK 'Bible", and G/F items available to purchase from the Pharmacy!

19th October 2011

Margaret Church says:
I feel sure manufacturers will cover themselves by not making any reference at all about gluten. Has anyone else noticed that some are now covering themselves by saying "contains cereals". I am very apprehensive about these new changes.

19th October 2011

David says:
As an old hand of some 28 years as a coeliac have a firm policy, based on bitter experience that I trust no-one and firmly take responsibility for what I eat. I am what might be termed a "supersensative " coeliac so foods made with wheat labeled gluten free are a complete no no for me. Are you aware they wash the gluten out and some remains. This may also apply to items labeled by firms such a Aldi so beware.Nothing is worth risking when you consider the horrible days of feeling washed out after a gluten attack so its fresh veg and plain cooked meat for me

19th October 2011

says:
Well done Tea on the Green at Westward Ho! so much choice of beautiful cakes and very friendly service made me feel normal.

21st October 2011

eve goldup says:
check out belle italia restaurants - separate gluten free menu on request - amazing

23rd October 2011

joyce horne says:
It did me good to read how many people were finding it difficult to find a reasonable gluten-free diet. Even if it means that manufacturers will err on the side of safety, it should also mean that we should have fewer times of feeling nauseous. I would like to see the print on labels listing ingredients a bit bigger but mainly in contrasting colours to the background so we could perhaps find out for ourselves over time which affect us the most. The updating of the essentially needed directory is more complicated than I imagined. The Land&Sea Fish &Chip Shop in Polmont near Falkirk in Scotland does a superb fish supper at lunchtime on the 1st Sat. of the month.

23rd October 2011

Audrey Cooper says:
Last night, we went to a "Table Table" restaurant, on the outskirts of Bradford, On enquiring about gluten free menu, the waitress brought a typed book, which listed every meal, broken down into each item and then gave you information about GF, veggie, dairy e.t.c., so that you could really see about everything and they were prepared to remove one thing and substitute with another, before the meal was plated. I had a really enjoyable meal and no after effects. The only thing lacking , was a lovely sweet,as it was back to the usual fruit salad.

22nd October 2011

Ellen Cormack says:
Yet more confusion. Just when I was getting to grips with the labelling on products. There are lots of things that I should be able to eat but can't. I think for me the only way forward is to look for ""gluten free". That way I can be sure of what I am consuming.

24th October 2011

says:
I too have been frustrated with this mainly with snack foods for my coeliac son. I"m sure wotsits used to be listed as suitable for coeliac and walkers crisps too but now it is all very vague. Decision is...do we avoid to be on safe side or continue eating them as this is just due to labelling regs and walkers covering themselves. :O( :O( my son is a fussy eater and eats limited amount of foods without more options being taken away from him.. not that he lots of crisps but it is one of the few things that are widely available if you are out and havent taken the usual pack up with you and hunger strikes... :O(

11th May 2012

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