If 2020 was the year of supply chain uncertainty due to COVID-19, 2021 may well be the year that transparency in food labeling takes center stage, particularly for gluten-free products.
Even in the best of times, food labeling is subject to regulatory changes, but last year was notable for two FDA rulings that product developers should keep an eye on in this new year. For the gluten-free community, these rule changes are a mixed bag. While the FDA has tightened restrictions on labeling fermented/hydrolyzed products gluten-free, the agency also has released a temporary rule that relaxes requirements for noting substitutions on ingredient lists, giving celiac groups cause for concern.