The FAO and WHO have released a new executive summary report outlining the recommendations of the Ad hoc Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Risk Assessment of Food Allergens – reference dose(s) for cereals containing gluten or gluten, held in Rome in November 2025. Convened at the request of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling, the consultation examined the scientific evidence needed to recommend reference doses and concentration levels for gluten and gluten-containing cereals, with a particular focus on protecting individuals with coeliac disease.
The report highlights the challenges associated with chronic gluten exposure, the limitations of current data, and the importance of clear, risk-based approaches to precautionary allergen labelling. Notably, the experts recommend adopting a 4 mg gluten reference dose to guide decisions on unintended gluten presence, aiming to improve labelling clarity, reduce unnecessary precautionary statements, and expand safe food options. This work will support ongoing deliberations within Codex regarding the guidelines on the use of Precautionary Allergen Labelling Annex to the GSLPF.
https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/0a455421-491b-4c44-a786-83c51452bdef
