May 29, 2013 (Sponsored article)

Freedom Foods is opposed to the Australian Food and Grocery Council (the AFGC) proposition that Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) alter the definition of gluten-free in Australia and, as a consequence, lower Australias food safety standards.

Freedom Foods says the issue comes down to the simple concept of truthfulness in food labelling. Consumers, like never before, expect food labelling to be accurate and clear with respect the contents or otherwise of the food contained therein. In Australia and New Zealand under existing food standards regulations consumers buying a product that says gluten-free on the label can be assured that the product does not contain any traces of gluten.

The current FSANZ regulations require food manufacturers to ensure there is no detectable level of gluten in foods when making a gluten-free claim.

The AFGC wants FSANZ to allow a food to contain up to 20 milligrams of gluten per kilogram to still be called gluten-free. This would bring the Australian regulation of gluten-free claims in line with British and European standards.Some argue that 10 milligrams per kilogram would be safer for coeliac sufferers. Freedom Foods takes the view that the current testing requirement of non-detectable levels is the only level at which free from can be a legitimate and truthful claim and not be misleading to consumers.

In the dairy industry lactose free is expected to mean exactly that the product is free from lactose and therefore safe for those people who have lactose intolerance to consume. Similarly you cannot have small particles of nuts, such as peanut in products because of the dangers of nut products to sufferers of anaphylaxis.

Freedom Foods believes that the proposal by the AFGC would lead to an inconsistent, misleading and ultimately confusing labelling approach being taken by FSANZ.

The food industry has worked hard to win consumer confidence and changing the gluten-free designation will not help to maintain the confidence of consumers.

The AFGC argues that the current regulations make production and testing of Gluten Free foods cost prohibitive and restrict variety and options for Australian consumers. This is plainly not correct on either position, said Michael Bracka, CEO of Freedom Foods.

The Australian Gluten Free market is one of the most developed in the world and compares more than favorably in terms of cost, variety and availability. In terms of costs, there is no cost differential in the requirements for manufacture and testing of products at 20mg per 1kg and non-detectable levels. The process, technical requirements and costs are identical the production and testing of safe Gluten Free foods require expertise, technical and quality assurance processes and a strong and sustainable supply chain to source appropriate ingredients at all stages of the supply chain, Mr Bracka said.

Read the original post:

Freedom Foods: “gluten-free – should always mean free from gluten”