After six years of consideration, the FDA is finally issuing it's guidelines for products that claim to be "gluten-free". Under the new guidelines, the product can contain 20 parts per million of gluten. This minute amount is considered to be tolerable by most people who suffer from celiac disease.
Prior to the issuing of this guideline, the quantitiy of gluten was left up the to manufactures descretion. The FDA allows manufactures one year to comply with the new guidelines, but they hope that most will begin earlier.
Gluten free products are, apparently, not just for those who suffer from Celiac disease. Last year, Americans spent almost 4 billion dollars on the specialty products. But, shopping was still painstaking for those whose can not tolerate gluten; while wheat was always clearly labeled, some products contained hidden barley and rye. The FDA hopes that this new step will allow patients an easier path to selecting foods.
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