It’s expected that by 2032, the gluten-free food market is expected to reach $14 billion. That’s double the current valuation at $6.7 billion.
It’s a growing market with a serious minority consumer base as only 1% of Americans (and even less in European countries) are affected by products with gluten.
In this guide, we dive into the process to get gluten-certified.
Demand for Gluten-Free Certification (GFC)
Since people are trending toward preferring what they perceive as “more healthy”, one has to take into consideration the fact that the gluten is found in a wide variety of food products from bread to pastries to alcohol.
Therefore, if the perception continues growing toward trust in the gluten-free logo, then the roof for growth could be really high.
This is great not just for profit, by the way. People who stick to GFC diets experience the “celiac tax” in the sense that they spend way more than those who don’t. And one key reason is that the demand for GFC products is not very high, making the careful processes required for producing items with just 20ppm of Gluten a “noble” venture.
Therefore, the fact that about a quarter of consumers buy GF products despite just 1% of people facing gluten-related health conditions like celiac, shows that the industry continues to be in high demand as time goes on.
Typical Gluten-Free Certification Process & Requirements
For any product, there’s a typical FDA requirement of a maximum 20 ppm (parts per million) gluten in order to be gluten-free certified.
Thorough testing and evaluation are fundamental requirements not just for obtaining gluten-free certification (GFC), but also for maintaining and enjoying the benefits of GFC for food manufacturers.
The general process requires evaluating and assessing all ingredients to ensure they meet specific requirements for gluten-free use. It is crucial to go through this evaluation process again when developing or making a new product to confirm it is completely free of gluten and follows the standards, even if it’s not for a new certification.
Here is the structured gluten-free certification process:
| Step | Description | Key Requirements |
| 1. Application Submission | Submit an initial application to CGA. | Business info, product list, ingredient specs, and facility details. |
| 2. Document Review | Certifier reviews documents for gluten control compliance. | Ingredients must be verified gluten-free (<20 ppm), supply chain records. |
| 3. On-Site Audit | Inspection of facility to assess gluten control practices. | Segregation protocols, sanitation SOPs, staff training records. |
| 4. Testing & Sampling | Product and/or environmental swabs are tested for gluten. | Must test <20 ppm gluten (or <10 ppm depending on certifier). |
| 5. Corrective Actions (if needed) | Address any non-conformances found during the audit. | Submit CAPA plan and re-testing if necessary. |
| 6. Certification Decision | Issuance of certification and license to use gluten-free logo. | Must meet all standards and pay applicable fees. |
| 7. Annual Surveillance / Renewal | Ongoing monitoring or re-audit to maintain certification. | Updated records, potential unannounced audits, retesting. |
Easiest way to be gluten-free certified and save money
The management system approach focuses on a comprehensive system of controls and procedures that addresses every aspect of gluten-free production. This emphasis is on preventive measures to ensure conditions and activities exist that prevent gluten-free food safety hazards from adversely affecting consumers who depend on safe products.
It has several key advantages:
- Enhancing Quality Control and Food Safety: Since it allows for seamless integration with existing food safety systems like HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), manufacturers can seamlessly incorporate gluten-free protocols, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
- Streamlining Processes and Reducing Duplication: A significant advantage is its ability to remove process duplication. By integrating gluten-free certification into existing quality and food safety management systems, businesses can eliminate the need for separate audits and assessments, which saves time and resources. This leads to a more efficient and streamlined certification process.
- Cost Efficiency and Agility: Perhaps most important for you, the management system approach offers significant help for manufacturers by lowering internal costs. By integrating the gluten-free certification into existing quality management systems, companies can streamline the process, maximize operational efficiency, and reduce expenses. The approach also enables rapid response to product change requests, with protocols in place for evaluating and implementing changes swiftly. This agility helps companies meet dynamic customer demands.
Picking the Best Partner for Gluten-Free Certification
Carat Global Assurance (CGA) offers one of the highest integrity gluten-free certification. In addition to that, what really sets them head and shoulders above everyone else is that you can save even more with multi-certification audits.
This means that you can have your gluten-free certification audits alongside GMP, Vegan, Non-GMO, Halal, or SQF audits.
