Australian Coeliacs want labelling changes

In Australia, the Trade Practices Act stipulates that only products with no detectable levels of gluten are permitted to be labelled 'gluten free'. The Coeliac Society of Australia maintains this is out of step with medical data and international standards, which rule 20 milligrams or less of gluten per kilogram is safe for consumers with coeliac disease.

As methods for detecting gluten in foods become more and more sensitive with technology advancements, The Coeliac Society of Australia is concerned that unless the current laws are changed, there will come a time when no product can be labelled 'gluten free' in this country. Consumers here are already said to be missing out on a number of gluten free products that are available overseas but cannot be sold here in Australia and New Zealand due to the stricter labelling laws.

The organisation has lobbied the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to change the gluten free regulations to allow 20 milligrams of gluten per kilogram, to become consistent with the rest of the world. A spokesperson for The Coeliac Society of Australia said it had been made clear to them that "this was not something that would be done easily", however the ACCC has not yet released a public comment in relation to the matter.