Small Business Gluten-Free Compliance Guide

The FDA’s “Small Entity Compliance Guide” helps small businesses comply with gluten-free labeling requirements. It provides a plain-language question and answer overview of the regulatory requirements for using the words “gluten-free” on labels for food products subject to the rule; the definitions of the terms “gluten” and “gluten­-free”; and when FDA considers a food labeled “gluten-free” to be misbranded. Beginning August 5, all food distributors hoping to use that word must comply with FDA restrictions. The rule is designed to assist those with celiac disease, a severe sensitivity to gluten, in choosing products that are safe to eat.