New Gluten-Free Certification Program

AMBLER, Pa.The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) formed an alliance with the Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP), developed by Canadian Celiac Association (CCA), to launch the first gluten-free certification program endorsed in the United States and Canada by leading celiac disease organizations.

The global gluten-free sector is projected to reach $6.2 billion by 2018. The certification program will provide consumer guidance and protection by differentiating certified products from the increasing amount of gluten-free claims in the market. The GFCP requires annual certification audits conducted by independent ISO accredited auditing companies, which ensures that certified products meet the industry's gluten-free food safety requirements in the U.S. and Canada. This third party relationship is a critical aspect as it eliminates any conflict of interest between the manufacturer's relationship with the program, its certifying bodies and/or the NFCA.

Gluten-free consumers can now look for the NFCA certification trademark on product packages. "The GFCP alliance means consumers with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity will have more choices, greater assurance and an easier way to identify gluten-free products that are trusted and safe," said Alice Bast, president of the National Foundation for Celia Awareness.