New York City Council Member Daniel Dromm has introduced legislation to address celiac and gluten-free needs. If passed, the bills would improve gluten labeling at foodservice establishments and call for proper labeling of gluten-free products nationwide.

Int. No. 502 would amend New York City code related to gluten and food establishments. If passed, covered food establishments would be required to post gluten information on menu boards and menus, including drive-through menu boards, for any menu items that contain gluten and are part of the menu for more than 30 days. Violators would be fined. The bill also would add instruction on gluten and testing to food protection courses related to city health code compliance.

Res. No. 689 would call upon the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide a clear and standard definition of “gluten-free.” According to the resolution, a standard definition would eliminate manufacturers’ uncertainty about what they can or cannot label as gluten-free, and would “protect the public health by providing consumers with celiac disease, and others who must avoid gluten in their diet, with the assurance that food products bearing this labeling meet a clear standard established and enforced by FDA.”

Council Member Dromm encourages New York City residents to contact their city council members to ensure they are signed as co-sponsors of the bills. To find out which NYC council member represents your area, visit http://council.nyc.gov/html/members/members.shtml/

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