Here’s a great piece from Sasha Cagen on The Huffington Post that really illustrates the need for real gluten-free labeling laws in the United States. It’s really shocking how far behind the U.S. is compared to countries like Brazil, Australia, and even those in the European Union.
The concept of a law that allows manufacturers to use a voluntary system that would allow them to self regulate is ridiculous — I’m not sure where this idea came from, but it’s a bad one.
May is Celiac Awareness Month and it’s a perfect time to have your voice heard. As this article recommends, check out 1 in 133.org, they are organizing a gluten-free summit May 4 in Washington, DC to push the FDA into action during Celiac Awareness Month.
The longer the FDA lags, food producers put gluten-free on labels and benefit from sales without investing in procedures that ensure safety.
Proper gluten-free labeling is an important step to increased public safety and an important step in spreading awareness.
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“Imagine there is a food additive that slowly poisons you and can even kill you. Now imagine you have no way of knowing whether it is in your foods. Three million American celiacs and I find myself in this situation. We have been patiently waiting for the FDA to pass a gluten labeling law while Brazil, the European Union, and Australia acted years ago.
On May 4, activists will be baking a 12-story high gluten-free cake in Washington, DC to get the FDA and Congress to take long-overdue action on this public health crisis. It’s high time the U.S. caught up with the rest of the world.
I’m a diagnosed celiac. My doctor’s orders are to strictly avoid gluten for the rest of my life. I cannot eat even a speck (say, a bread crumb). Celiacs who keep eating gluten have a sixfold higher risk of developing cancer and increased risks of osteoporosis and other autoimmune conditions. Gluten causes a celiac’s intestine to attack itself and destroy the villi, which are tiny hairs that reach out to absorb food. Over time, celiacs don’t absorb the benefits of food…”
1 comment
Wanda Andereck says:
Apr 22, 2011
Please! Labeling that truthfully indicates NO GLUTEN or GLUTEN FREE could save me much suffering and illness. Such honest labeling should come before protecting dishonest and unethical food producers who do not live up to high quality standards. Please require honesty in labeling.Please put some “teeth” into your regulations and then enforce them. That is the least you can do as a government agency CHARGED WITH PROTECTING THE SAFETY OF AMERICA’S FOOD SUPPLY.
Those of us who suffer from Celiac Disease or even from Gluten Intolerance suffer greatly from your negligence! We have a right to expect integrity in your work above everything else.