GFCO a program of Gluten Intolerance Group^®

GFCO Manual Update

The GFCO Manual has been updated to version 2026. You can download the Manual update using the link at www.gfco.org/certification.

There is one major change to the Manual, which is the addition of a definition of a specific type of facility, termed a Secondary Packager. These are facilities which only place sealed product into secondary containers such as boxes or wraps. Beginning December 1, 2026, these facilities will no longer have requirements for testing, and will also be exempt from certain other requirements as explained in the Manual. GFCO auditors will be responsible for determining whether a facility meets the definition of a Secondary Packager, based on their on-site observations.

Other updates to the Manual can be seen under the Summary of Changes, beginning on page 68.

REMINDER: Mailing Address

As announced in May of 2025, please be aware that the Gluten Intolerance Group has moved to a new location, and as a result GFCO has a new corporate office address and a new mailing address. The mailing address is where all payments should be sent, if paying by check:

CORPORATE OFFICE:

830 Sleater-Kinney Road NE, Suite D, Olympia WA 98506-5292

MAILING ADDRESS:

4250 Martin Way E, Suite 105, PMB 190, Olympia WA 98516-5317

Payments mailed to the previous address are no longer being forwarded, and will not be received. Please be sure to use the mailing address above for all payments.

REMINDER: Quarterly Testing

Testing records for quarter 3 (July-September) were due on October 10^th. If you have not already done so, please send your 3^rd quarter testing records to testing@gluten.org.

Proficiency Testing

GFCO’s 2026 proficiency testing round, Wheat Gluten in Baking Mixes, is open for sign-ups. Sample requests may be made up until November 30th, 2026. Samples will be shipped within 2 weeks after we process your payment, and a preliminary report will be issued within 2 weeks after you submit your results. This preliminary report is sufficient to meet GFCO’s requirement 72 for proficiency testing participation.

All samples are shipped from the United States, and if you are outside of the U.S. and opt for US Postal Service (free) shipping, then we recommend that you place your order as soon as possible. USPS shipping to destinations outside of the U.S. can take several weeks, and it is also important to account for any time needed for the shipment to pass through customs. No results can be accepted for the 2026 round after December 31, 2026.



GFCO Brands, Start Your Engines

GIG and GFCO are heading to the racetrack for the 2027 NASCAR season, and we want to bring our certified brands with us.

Dr. Patrick Staropoli is a board-certified retina surgeon who was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2010. He's also racing full-time in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series with Big Machine Racing. This season, Patrick and GIG are teaming up to raise awareness of celiac disease and put a spotlight on the brands that make safe, certified choices possible.

Here's the opportunity: GIG sponsors the season opener at Daytona and Charlotte during Celiac Awareness Month. The other 31 races are reserved for GFCO-certified brands, and there's ONE brand per race. That brand gets the car, the paint scheme on The CW, Patrick as its spokesperson, and 12 months of content, social and in-store activation. Brands that sign on for more than one race get extra benefits.

Why it works: An estimated 4.2 million NASCAR fans are gluten-free. NASCAR fans are 56% more likely to buy from sponsors and 64% more likely to believe a product is superior when their driver endorses it. Now picture that driver as a doctor who lives with celiac.

Races go first-come, first-served, and the big ones (summer grilling, back-to-school, the Playoffs) will go fast. We're confirming partners by mid-November so every brand can start activating January 1.

Want your brand on the track? Email GFCONASCAR@gluten.org and Patrick's manager, Bryan Emrich, will walk you through it.

Join us on the green for our very first Golf Fundraiser! This high-visibility event brings together community partners, industry leaders, and advocates dedicated to making gluten-free living accessible and affordable for all. Sponsorship packages offer premium branding, from tee towel logo inclusions to auction items, VIP team registrations and corporate recognition throughout the event. We want our GFCO companies to have the opportunity to be in front of our consumers! Have any questions or concerns, reach out to Devyn Quinn at Devyn.Quinn@gluten.org. 

GIG Newsletter Supporter

GIG has a large reach and a highly engaged audience, take this opportunity to be right where they go to for trusted gluten-free resources and news! Our monthly GIG newsletter delivers high-value content, program updates, and recipes to thousands of subscribers. As a newsletter sponsor, your brand receives prime digital real estate, featured company spotlights, and direct links that highlight your partnership and support for the community. Email Devyn Quinn at Devyn.Quinn@gluten.org to find out more!