Intertek Attains Accreditation to Perform Gluten Free Certification Program in North America
27 Mar 2014
Boxborough, MA - Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of industries around the world, today announced its accreditation to perform the Gluten Free Certification Program in North America. This certification enables manufacturers to provide confirmation of gluten-free products (under 20 parts per million or 20 ppm) that are verified by an independent third party certification body.
Food manufacturers are faced with the growing demand from consumers who suffer from Celiac disease which is an autoimmune disorder that currently affects an estimated one in one-hundred in North Americans. The number of people affected is expected to double every 15 years. Eighty-three percent of people with celiac disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. The disease can cause debilitating symptoms and if left untreated, lead to life-threatening health conditions. There is no cure, but celiac disease can be treated with a strict, life-long gluten-free diet.
Intertek received its accreditation from the Allergen Control Group Inc., Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP) enabling them to provide third party auditing and certification services for use of the GFCP trademark, which incorporates the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) requirements regarding gluten-free claims.
The GFCP trademark is displayed on safe, reliable gluten-free products so consumers can shop with confidence. The trademark is endorsed by the United States’ National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) and the Canadian Celiac Association (CCA). The FDA requires all “gluten-free” foods to contain less than 20 ppm of gluten by August 2014 or the product will be considered misbranded and subject to regulatory enforcement action.
“We are excited to add the Gluten-Free Certification Program to our service portfolio, as it is an added benefit for our clients which complements our Food Safety Certification Programs and other product offerings for our clients in the Food Sector” said Showkat Hussain, Program Manager for Intertek’s Business Assurance Group.
The Gluten-Free Certification Program audits will be conducted by qualified auditors in conjunction with Intertek’s Food Safety certification audits, or as a stand-alone service.
Contacts
For further information, please contact
For Market Inquiries:
Lauren Reidy
Global Marketing Manager, Business Assurance
Direct +1 978.929.2111
Email: lauren.reidy@intertek.com
For Media Inquiries:
Cassie Biscanin
PR Manager, Intertek Group, Americas Region
Direct: +1 713.543.3775
Email: cassandra.biscanin@intertek.com
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 36,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in the global marketplace, by helping customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com