Help Support 1in133’s Efforts to Finalize Gluten-Free Food Labeling Standards

Isn’t it frustrating to not know whether or not the food you want to eat is gluten-free?  When I first went gluten-free in January of 2006, my doctor told me that it shouldn’t be too hard to figure out because of the 2004 Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act.  Little did she know that while wheat was declared on the label, gluten wasn’t.   For as many people that actually have Celiac disease (1 in 133) , one would think that gluten-free labeling would have come a little further by now, right?  Well, there is some super exciting news on the horizon. Check out the latest event to attract the attention of the FDA’s lack of action on gluten-free labeling from the press release:

Prominent members of the burgeoning gluten-free community announced today (March 29, 2011) a collaborative “1in133”event on May 4 to bake the world’s largest gluten-free cake as part of an effort to draw attention to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) delay in finalizing standards for gluten-free food labeling. The name is derived from the fact that one in every 133 people in the U.S. suffers from celiac disease or a gluten intolerance issue.

To kick-off Celiac Awareness Month – globally recognized in May – the 1in133 event is being hosted at the Washington, D.C., Embassy Suites Convention Center on May 4 and will culminate with a V.I.P. reception for federal lawmakers, concerned members and friends of the gluten-free community and gluten-free food manufacturers. With pre-eminent guest speakers and information on a petition advocating for the FDA to take action on determining a gluten-free food-labeling standard, the 1in133 event will reinforce the need for such standards and pressure the FDA to take action.

The 1in133 event is the brainchild of Jules Shepard, noted gluten-free author, baking expert and celiac community advocate, and John Forberger, a winning gluten-free triathlete and active blogger. Event sponsors include Whole Foods Market, The University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research, The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America, Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University and others. Event coordination is contributed by Aaron E. Flores, Executive Chef, Embassy Suites D.C. Convention Center.

This is such an exciting time!  I was able to chat with Jules to get some additional information about this exciting event – to read the back-story behind 1in133, click here.  So, what can you do?  Anyone can help the cause, simply by signing the petition,  by donating in increments of $11.33, and by joining the Facebook Causes page.  Word of mouth is the best way to get as much attention as we can for this cause.  With only 5 weeks left until the event, that is a lot of news spreading!  To keep up with all of the happenings, make sure to follow along on Twitter as well – Twitter: @1in133.