FDA vs USDA Labeling Laws

KEY POINTS:

  • The food we eat is labeled based on rules of two organizations:
    • US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
    • US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  • Most of the food we eat must follow the rules of the FDA.
  • Foods that must follow the rules of the USDA are:
    • Meat products, including processed meats
    • Poultry products, including processed poultry
    • Egg products (meaning eggs outside their shell such as liquid eggs)

      Liquid_Eggs deli_turkey hot_dogs_1
  • Foods labeled gluten-free by the FDA and USDA are fine for you to eat.
  • If a food follows the rules of the FDA and is not labeled gluten-free, read the ingredients list and Contains statement for these words: 1,2
    • "Wheat"
    • "Barley"
    • "Rye"
    • "Oats"
    • "Malt"
    • "Brewer's yeast"
    • "Yeast extract"
    Avoid all foods containing these ingredients.
  • If a food follows the rules of the USDA and is not labeled gluten-free, read the ingredients list and Contains statement for these words: 1,2 ,3:
    • "Wheat"
    • "Barley"
    • "Rye"
    • "Oats"
    • "Malt"
    • "Brewer's yeast"
    • "Yeast extract"
    • "Modified food starch"
    • "Dextrin"
    • "Starch"
    Avoid all foods containing these ingredients.

TAKE HOME MESSAGES:

  • Foods are labeled based on rules of the FDA and USDA.
  • The FDA sets the rules for almost all the foods we eat.
  • The USDA sets the rules for meat products, poultry products, and egg products.
  • All foods labeled gluten-free are fine for you to eat.
  • If a food is not labeled gluten-free and it follows the rules of the FDA look for "wheat," "barley," "rye," "oats," "malt," "yeast extract," and "brewer's yeast" in the ingredients list and Contains statement.
  • If a food is not labeled gluten free and it follows the rules of the USDA look for "wheat," "barley," "rye," "oats," "malt," "yeast extract" and "brewer's yeast," "modified food starch," "dextrin," and "starch" in the ingredients list.

References:

  1. Thompson, T. ADA Pocket Guide to Gluten-Free Strategies for Clients with Multiple Diet Restrictions . American Dietetic Association. Chicago, IL, 2011.
  2. Celiac Disease Toolkit. American Dietetic Association. Chicago, IL, 2011
  3. Gluten-Free Dietitian. Update on gluten-free status of yeast extract. http://www.glutenfreedietitian.com/newsletter/2013/02/07/update-on-gluten-free-status-of-yeast-extract/ . Accessed December 4, 2013.

Revision Date: 12-18-13 
Author: Tricia Thompson, MS, RD 
Editors: Melinda Dennis, MS, RD, LDN and Daniel Leffler, MD, MS

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