What gluten-free claims mean

“Gluten-free” is a voluntary regulated claim on FDA-regulated foods. It should not be inferred merely because wheat is not obvious in a product name.

The federal labeling rule

FDA states that foods using “gluten-free,” “no gluten,” “free of gluten” or “without gluten” must meet the federal definition, including the less-than-20-parts-per-million criterion and ingredient restrictions described by the agency.

What the rule does not automatically establish

A packaged-food rule does not by itself document how every unpackaged restaurant item was prepared, whether equipment is shared, or whether a particular shop has verified a claim for every flavor.

Questions to ask

Use precise language and identify the exact product.

• Is there a current gluten-free claim or specification for this item?
• What are the cone, topping and mix-in ingredients?
• Is shared preparation or serving equipment used?
• Can staff check the current package or supplier information?

Pete’s information boundary

Pete’s does not treat a flavor name as proof of gluten-free status. Contact the shop before ordering for current information.