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Chicago Tribune Articles Reveal Problems with Allergen
Labeling
In a
two-part investigative piece, Tribune reporter Sam Roe
draws upon data from a decade of food recalls and finds
startling results. Hundreds of complaints have
been made to the federal agencies which oversee the
labeling of food and meat products. Only a fraction of
those complaints resulted in products being recalled or
removed from store shelves.
Of
particular note to the celiac community was the testing
carried out at the University of Nebraska on samples of
a popular gluten-free chicken nugget. A young boy
experienced severe allergic reactions after eating the
nuggets. Though complaints about the product
persisted, nothing was done, even though independent
testing revealed they were not gluten-free at all.
That the
consumer is not alerted to situations like this, or to
recalls, is alarming. The Tribune article found
that "in many cases, the government and companies never
inform consumers." Furthermore, it was learned
"this was true even in dozens of cases where the FDA
classified products as likely to cause serious harm or
death."
The ACDA was
very pleased to have provided Sam Roe with background
information about celiac disease and how labeling
affects individuals on the gluten-free diet. We
also discussed the proposed standards for GF labeling.
Read the Tribune
articles for
November 21 and
November 23.
The
ACDA's Letter to the Editor
November 25, 2008
Dear Chicago Tribune Editor:
On behalf of the American
Celiac Disease Alliance (ACDA) and the thousands of
Americans now affected by Celiac Disease, thank you for
publishing the two-part investigative series on food
labeling and food manufacturing oversight entitled
“Allergy Threat: A Tribune Investigation” (Nov. 21 and
Nov 23, 2008).
Mr. Roe’s thorough and well
researched article exposes the serious and sometimes
life-threatening problems that can be caused by
mislabeled food products. His article paints a
compelling and very personal portrait of the challenges
people with Celiac Disease, food allergies and other
health concerns face each and every time they shop the
grocery store aisles.
Celiac Disease is the world’s
most common autoimmune disease. Although most have yet
to be diagnosed, it is estimated that at least 1% of the
U.S. population has this inherited disease. Today, the
only known treatment is strict adherence to a
gluten-free diet for life.
On behalf of those living
with Celiac Disease, the ACDA applauds the Chicago
Tribune’s efforts to raise
awareness of the issue and to demand stricter oversight
of food labeling and enforcement by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA). The Food Allergen Labeling
and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA) was an
important first step in protecting celiac, gluten
intolerant and food-allergic consumers. Mr. Roe’s
article clearly indicates that more stringent oversight
is necessary. We agree.
In January 2007, the FDA
proposed a standard for ‘gluten-free’ labeling. Under
its proposal the maximum threshold level for gluten
would be set at 20 parts per million (ppm). When
finalized these regulations will help to ensure that
individuals with Celiac Disease are not misled by
incorrect food labels and that they have truthful,
accurate and easily accessible information on processed
food labels.
Until this regulation goes
into effect and FDA oversight is strengthened,
food-sensitive consumers will be left wondering what
products they and their families can safely consume. In
the case of those with celiac disease, they will also be
questioning the safety of adhering to the gluten-free
diet, their only medical treatment.
Andrea Levario
Executive Director
American Celiac Disease Alliance (ACDA)
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