AOECS welcomes landmark Codex agreement on gluten labelling

The Association of European Coeliac Societies (AOECS) welcomes the agreement reached at the 49th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL49) on new international Guidelines for Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL).

For the first time, the Guidelines explicitly address the needs of people living with coeliac disease by incorporating cereals containing gluten into a science-based framework for precautionary allergen labelling. This represents a significant milestone in international food standards and follows many years of scientific collaboration, technical input and advocacy by AOECS and its partners.

The new Codex Guidelines establish a harmonised, risk-based approach to the use of precautionary allergen labelling, commonly expressed through statements such as “may contain”. They are designed to improve consistency, reduce the unnecessary use of precautionary statements and provide consumers with clearer, more meaningful information about the potential risk of unintended gluten contamination.

What does this mean for coeliacs?

“This is a landmark achievement for the global coeliac community,” says Veronica Rubio, Secretary General of AOECS. “For many years, people living with coeliac disease have relied on inconsistent precautionary allergen labelling that often created uncertainty and unnecessarily restricted food choice. These new Codex Guidelines establish a science-based framework that will improve risk communication while preserving the integrity of gluten-free claims. We commend the commitment shown by governments, scientists, industry and patient organisations in reaching this important agreement, and AOECS looks forward to supporting its effective implementation.”

Read the full article at AOECS.