FDA's list of common allergens requires that if a product contains wheat, that must be disclosed on the label. However it is nonsensical that FDA added wheat to the list without also adding rye and barley which are just as dangerous for celiacs! It creates uncertainty when trying to shop for foods. For instance, when a label lists, "flavor" or "natural flavor" it could contain malt flavoring, derived from barley, and the manufacturer does not have to declare it! There are many such examples of ambiguous ingredients, which will remain ambiguous until we have rye and barley included in the list of common allergens. It makes shopping for groceries a living hell!
I have written a petition to add rye and barley to FDA's list of common allergens. This site doesn't allow for the posting of the web address, but you can find it by Googling "petition rye barley common allergens". If you read the first "hit" on the list, you'll find the address for the petition, where you can go to give fda your comments. Don't pay any attention to the "closing date" for comments. They never got this petition even posted until after the so-called closing date. You can still post your comments, and WE NEED MANY PRO COMMENTS IN ORDER FOR THE POWERS THAT BE TO TAKE THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY!
