Plano-based Frito-Lay wants a new stamp of approval from the Food and Drug Administration to move forward on their plans to brand many of their products as "gluten-free."
Believe it or not, a large number of Frito-Lay's chips have always been made without gluten ingredients, but the company is working with the FDA, the Food Allergy Research Program, and the Celiac Disease Foundation to develop a validation program for most of their products to carry "gluten-free" labels.
"We understand that living with gluten sensitivities can present some challenges, and when you or a loved one is diagnosed it can be overwhelming and confusing. We are doing our due diligence to ensure that our validated products comply with the proposed standards by testing ingredients and finished products, so the shopper can trust our gluten free claim," Kari Hecker Ryan, PhD, RD, group manager of nutrition science and regulatory affairs, Frito-Lay North America, said in a press release.
The products that qualify for the label would get a "GF" icon or a statement on the back of the bag that highlights the designation.
Currently, the company claims they have about 30 products that have passed testing, including some Doritos, Fritos, Lay's, Ruffles, and Tostito's variations. Find the full list here.
