GFCO a program of Gluten Intolerance Group^®.

Next Steps in Compass

In October of 2024, GFCO launched the Compass database for client product and ingredient submission. As we are approaching the one-year anniversary of the system, it’s time to announce the next phase of Compass adoption.

By October 1, 2026, GFCO will require that all ingredients being used in certified products be entered into Compass and that those ingredients be connected to the appropriate Products. This will allow our auditors to have access to the most current information during your audit, and for complete transparency and agreement between your records and ours. After October 1, 2026, entering and maintaining your ingredients and ingredient-to-product connections in Compass will be a requirement for compliance with Standard requirements 33 and 34.

Clients who need assistance with these ingredient entries should reach out to gfco.clientsupport@gluten.org.

Risk Reduction

When the GFCO Manual update was announced in July, our policies changed to no longer allow “examples” of Certificates of Analysis (COAs) that included gluten testing to reduce the ingredient risk level from that supplier. Rather, GFCO will now only accept lot-specific COA testing records provided by the ingredient supplier for the purpose of satisfying the respective testing needed for that ingredient. Though COAs may be used to satisfy ingredient testing requirements, the risk level of that ingredient will not be reduced.

GFCO will still accept either a GFCO certificate or a supplier statement that covers the growth, harvest, transport, storage, and processing of the ingredient (such as our 3051 document) as documentation for risk reduction.

We wanted to emphasize the impact of this change affecting any clients that may have used a COA to reduce an ingredient’s risk level for the purpose of qualifying that ingredient to be repacked as a certified finished product (ref “Repackaging” definition on page 7 of the GFCO Manual). This would mean any current ingredient risk reduction based on a COA will continue to be honored until the document expiration date, but thereafter, GFCO would need one of the two alternative documents to maintain the risk reduction of that ingredient moving forward.

Proficiency Testing

GFCO’s 2025 proficiency testing round, Wheat Gluten in Almond Flour, is open for sign-ups now through November 30. Request a sample set at www.gluten.org/proficiency-registration.



USDA FSIS Updates Formulation Verification Tasks to Include Gluten

On September 11, the USDA issued an update to FSIS Directive 7230.1, Ongoing Verification of Product Formulation and Labeling Targeting the Nine Most Common (“Big 9”) Allergens and Gluten. The directive has been reissued in order to add gluten as an ingredient to be verified as part of regular Formulation Verification. Formulation Verification, performed by FSIS inspection program personnel, is intended to detect the largest sources of allergen and gluten recalls, which are mislabeling and mispackaging.

During the review, FSIS inspection program personnel will be answering five questions about a chosen product – the specific questions are provided as Attachment 2 of the directive. Among other things, the questions ask if the facility has specific policies and procedures to prevent cross-contact, and to prevent mislabeling or misbranding. Plants that are in compliance with GFCO requirements should be able to provide evidence for both of these questions.

Move Beyond Booths: Put Your Brand in Their Hands.

Expos fade. Booths blur. But when gluten-free teens and their families gather for the 2026 GIG Cares Teen Summit, your brand becomes part of the story they’ll tell for years.

This isn’t a crowded trade show floor, it’s a week-long adventure where products are experienced, not just displayed. Imagine your gluten-free snacks fueling Color Wars. Your brand sparking laughter at a late-night bonfire. Your logo woven into memories of friendship, resilience, and freedom.

Why Sponsor?

• Visibility that lasts – banners, branded activities, and on-site recognition
• Content with heart – digital photos and video created with your brand in focus
• Impact with purpose – empower the next generation of gluten-free leaders
• Product in motion – teens taste, use, and live with your brand—embedding it in their daily lives and conversations

Opportunities are intentionally limited, giving sponsors the chance to stand out and own the moment. The impression you make here doesn’t end when camp does, it ripples outward, shaping habits, loyalty, and trust for years to come.

This isn’t sponsorship.

This is leadership in action.

Early opportunities are open now—but space is limited. Secure your place before promotion expands in 2026. Contact gfco.sales@gluten.org or learn more.