Sports Nutrition Blog

New FDA Guidelines to benefit gluten-free athletes

New FDA ruling for term “gluten-free” for voluntary food labeling to assist gluten free athletes.

On August 2nd the FDA published a new regulation defining the term “gluten-free.” This provides a standard definition for the approximately 3 million Americans who have diagnosed celiac disease. For athletes who want to safely fuel with gluten free grains and starches to provide fuel for training and recovery the new federal definition standardizes the meaning of gluten-free across the food industry. In order to use the term “gluten-free” on a label, that food must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. The compliance date of the rule is August 5, 2014. Restaurants that make “gluten-free” claims must also comply with the ruling.  This new federal guideline also assists an athlete travelling to race venues who need to maintian their gluten-free diet prior to and leading up to competition. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/UCM363474.htm?utm_source=Welcome%21&utm_campaign=d5dd020d37-TGI_FDA_Gluten_free_Regulation_Announced_8_2_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_81d09862bc-d5dd020d37-31579717