Frito-Lay to validate, label products as gluten free

PLANO, Texas — PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America division is developing a gluten-free validation process for its products as part of a multiyear initiative to assure consumers that many of the company's products are gluten free.

The company said its gluten-free validation process was created with input from the Food Allergy Research and Resource Program and the Celiac Disease Foundation to ensure products contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten before making a "gluten-free" claim. The company said its Lays Classic potato chips and Fritos original corn chips both are gluten-free products.

The gluten-free claim that Frito-Lay is adding to qualified products appears in the form of a "GF" icon and/or a statement on the back of the bag. Changes to packaging are being phased in and can take some time, the company noted.

The initiative is part of the division's partnership with the Celiac Disease Foundation and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness to educate consumers and health professionals about gluten-free resources and options. Activities through Frito-Lay's partnerships will include development of educational content in English and Spanish, and cross promotion through social media channels, the company said.

"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," Frito-Lay North America group manager of nutrition science and regulatory affairs Kari Hecker Ryan said. "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."

Additional information about the initiative can be found here.