Labeling Alcohols that are Gluten-Free under Review by the TTB

Cinnaminson, NJ, October 23, 2013

In July, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule to define the term “gluten-free” for voluntary use in the labeling of foods. The next month, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), which sets standards for manufacturers of alcohol, released an announcement that the agency is currently reviewing their own policy on gluten statements in the labeling and advertising of wines, distilled spirits and malt beverages.

All of this activity has the approximately 1% of the U.S. population who are believed to have celiac disease, watching developments closely. Celiac disease is a hereditary, chronic inflammatory disorder of the small intestine triggered by the ingestion of certain storage proteins known as gluten. They occur in wheat, rye, barley and crossbreeds of these grains. Because celiac disease has no cure, individuals who have the disease are advised to avoid gluten in their diet.

The FDA’s final rule set the standard for gluten-free at 20 parts per million (ppm) or less gluten in products. The TTB currently does not allow manufacturers of alcohol to make the same claims if their products were made from gluten-containing ingredients, even if testing shows the beverage to have 20 ppm or less.

One company that has been providing gluten testing services for food and beverage manufacturers is EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Gluten testing services identify these proteins in raw ingredients, foods and beverages,” reported Joy Dell’Aringa, M.S., RM (NRM), CFSP, National Food Director at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Alcoholic beverage manufacturers are closely watching and waiting for word from the TTB about their review of their own gluten-free labeling requirements. Currently, EMSL provides gluten testing in alcoholic beverages utilizing one of the few validated methods to test for this protein.”

To learn more about gluten or other food testing services, please visit: www.FoodTestingLab.com, or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of food, environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com