Independent third-party certification

In addition to the federal gluten-free labeling standard, consumers can seek added peace of mind through products certified by independent third-party programs. For example, one popular program is the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) of the Gluten Intolerance Group. It claims to have certified some 13,000 gluten-free products as of February 2013 and fully one quarter of the gluten-free product market during 2012. Another is the Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP), a joint effort of the US-based National Foundation for Celiac Awareness and the Canadian Celiac Association, announced in 2013. Both the GFCO and GFCP certify products at a gluten limit of 10 ppm, twice as stringent as the FDA standard.