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07.05.2018 - Foods

TraceabilitywithregardtoMilk/Wheatin“lactose-free”/“gluten-free”foods

At its 80th working conference in November 2017, the ALTS addressed the issue of whether a misleading indication is present through a trace statement regarding milk or wheat while simultaneously claiming "lactose-free" or "gluten-free".

It has concluded that the statement "May contain traces of milk" is permissible with the simultaneous claim "lactose-free" and does not represent a contradiction. The same applies to the statement "May contain traces of wheat," if the product has been declared "gluten-free." Provided the applicable conditions for the terms "lactose-free" or "gluten-free" are complied with, a trace hint for milk or wheat cannot be considered misleading. The indication "gluten-free" is a claim with a legally established threshold value of 20 mg/kg according to Regulation (EC) No. 828/2014.

The background for this decision is that the medical terms "gluten intolerance" or "lactose intolerance" and "milk protein allergy" or "wheat allergy" must be factually distinguished.

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