On May 4th in Washington, D.C. leading members of the gluten free community will host Capital Hill legislators, noted celiac disease researchers, gluten free community leaders and food corporations in the first Gluten Free Food Labeling Summit. 1 in 133 is a day when all can come together and drive home the importance of establishing standards for gluten free labeling in the U.S. Coinciding with the newly recognized National Celiac Awareness Month-May, the event will feature the creation of the world's largest gluten free cake, symbolizing the big deal that clear, accurate, and reliable labeling plays in the lives of people dependent on proper labeling for their health.
Under a 2004 law, Congress gave The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) until 2008 to define gluten free and establish labeling guidelines. Three years later, the deadline has come and gone, yet other countries such as Australia, Argentina and Canada have passed gluten free labeling laws; in the U.S. we failed to implement an enforceable standard. This means companies can apply the world "gluten free" to their packaging without having to meet a standard, so it can mean anything. To the millions of Americans who eat gluten free food, this inaction is a BIG DEAL.
The 1 in 133 event was born out of the frustration of Jules Shepard, noted gluten free author, baking expert, and celiac community advocate, and John Forberger, a winning gluten free triathlete and active blogger, to draw attention to this inaction by the FDA and push the FDA into action.
The evening reception and pre-event cake construction are open to the public; for more information go to 1in133.org. If you are unable to attend the event in Washington, D.C., then show your support for gluten labeling laws by signing a petition at 1in133.org.
Together we can make a BIG difference!
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