GFCO a program of Gluten Intolerance Group^®.

GFCO Manual Update

The GFCO Manual has been updated and has a new revision date of 2025. The only change to the Manual in this revision is the update to the fee schedule that was announced in the November 2024 newsletter.

Some important points from this fee schedule and billing update are:

• The online plant registration form no longer has a payment section at the end. Instead, plant registration fees are now folded into the flat-rate audit fee of $1500, which includes the audit costs, travel and plant registration. The removal of the payment from the plant registration form will now make it easier for each plant location to complete their own information.
• Certification contracts will no longer automatically renew if re-certification fees are not paid by the due date, which is the certificate expiration date. Invoices for re-certification will be sent 90days prior to the expiration for certification, and renewal reminders will be sent each month as expiration approaches.

Proficiency Testing

Sign-ups for GFCO’s 2025 Proficiency Testing round, Wheat Gluten in Almond Flour, are now open at www.gluten.org/proficiency-registration.

Compass Database Updates

February 28^th Transition Deadline

This is a reminder that GFCO will no longer accept Excel templates for Product & Ingredient updates after February 28, 2025. After this date, all P&I updates need to be done through the Compass system. Please reach out to your GFCO account representative, or gfco.clientsupport@gluten.org if you need access to Compass.

In addition, as we are making this transition, please be aware that the fastest way to have your Product and Ingredient updates reviewed is by submitting them in Compass. While we will continue to accept Excel templates through February 28^th, our first priority is reviewing Compass submissions, and Excel templates may experience longer than normal turnaround times.

Guidance on Preventing Allergen Recalls

The Food and Drink Federation of the United Kingdom has released a guidance document that provides information on how to investigate gluten and allergen incidents, determine root cause, and develop the appropriate corrective actions. This document can not only help with investigating issues that have already occurred, it also has guidance that can help companies in any country to avoid recalls related to gluten and allergens. The guidance can be accessed here.

Building Trust Through Transparency in Food Labeling The Stakes Have Never Been Higher

In the competitive world of Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), where innovation drives brand loyalty and shelf appeal determines success, one thing remains consistent: consumer trust. As businesses navigate complex supply chains and changing regulations, food labeling has emerged as both a challenge and an opportunity. For brands, labels are no longer just about compliance; they’re a direct line to consumers’ hearts—and wallets.