CODEX issues call for Expert Advisors, New Data to Support Food Labeling Standards for Gluten
For individuals with celiac disease, the definition of “gluten-free” isn’t just a label – it’s a matter of health and safety. Current global standards, including the widely accepted 20 parts per million (ppm) threshold, serve as the basis for gluten-free labeling, but ongoing research continues to explore whether this standard adequately meets the needs of all individuals with celiac disease. As scientific advancements, such as the IL-2 test, improve our ability to detect immune responses to gluten, it is critical to reassess these thresholds to ensure they safeguard the entire celiac disease community.
Codex is the global authority that sets food safety standards, including the gluten-free standard. Many countries base their food labeling laws on these guidelines, which means Codex decisions directly impact the safety of the food that individuals with celiac disease eat. Celiac Disease Foundation CEO, Marilyn Geller, was invited to join the U.S. delegation at the October Codex meeting in Québec City, Canada to advocate for global recognition of celiac disease and updated food labeling regulations. As a result of Marilyn’s leadership and advocacy, Codex is now calling for expert advisors and new data to re-evaluate the gluten threshold in products labeled gluten-free.
“Codex’s call for data and expert advisors is a pivotal step toward ensuring a truly safe food supply for people with celiac disease worldwide,” said Celiac Disease Foundation CEO Marilyn Geller. “We are encouraged by the rapid progress being made following our collaboration with stakeholders around the world throughout 2024, culminating in our meeting in Quebec, and we look forward to the important work ahead.”
Coupled with our work on Codex, the Celiac Disease Foundation has worked closely with the International Society for the Study of Celiac Disease (ISSCD) to support the launch and implementation of the Gluten Safety and Standards Committee (GSSC) to generate high quality clinical data supporting a gluten threshold in food. Additionally, the Foundation serves as the global patient advocate representative on this committee of international scientific experts.
“The Celiac Disease Foundation has played a pivotal role in kicking off renewed action to ensure gluten food standards are truly safe for individuals affected by celiac disease,” said Robert Anderson, President of ISSCD. “The work Marilyn has done as a GSSC member, and the funding support that the Celiac Disease Foundation has provided for expert advice in establishing a harmonized, international multicenter clinical protocol that coordinates key opinion leaders will ensure effective interaction with Codex, supporting evidence-based food standards for all those affected by celiac disease.”
“Food safety is a subject that everyone in the world agrees should be a top priority. This is a critical issue for our patient community and all those who suffer from food-related illnesses, allergies, sensitivities, and insecurities. We rely on the work done by Codex to protect our health, and the Celiac Disease Foundation has played a leading role in drawing the attention of leading multidisciplinary researchers and scientists in celiac disease to this critical issue,” said Jennifer Sealey Voyksner, Director of the GSSC program. “As a member of the GSSC, a food scientist, celiac disease researcher and celiac disease patient, I am honored to run this program and grateful for the Celiac Disease Foundation’s ongoing commitment of support that will ensures the knowledge base will advance over the coming years, arming regulators with the data needed to achieve and maintain global food safety.”
As we look ahead to 2025, the Celiac Disease Foundation remains committed to ensuring that gluten-free standards reflect the latest science. Through our continued collaboration with the U.S. Codex Office, global experts, and patient advocates, we will work to advance critical policy recommendations and push for meaningful progress in food safety. We will keep our community updated as we make progress on this important issue.