SGS Approved to Audit Against the Gluten-Free Certification Organization Standard

26 Apr 2017 --- SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company has been approved as the first Certification Body to audit against the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) standards covering all regions of the world.

Gluten-free third party certification aims to provide additional assurance to consumers suffering from gluten-related disorders that a product (food, drink or supplement) meets strict gluten-free standards, confirming the validity of a manufacturer’s gluten-free processes and substantiating their claims.

The Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFC) is an industry program dedicated to offering independent certification services to producers of gluten-free products using quality assessment and control measures throughout production. It was developed by the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America (GIG), a leader in the verification of quality, integrity and purity of gluten-free products, in 2005.

Certification by GFCO, accredited to ISO 17065, provides assurance to consumers of the safety of their foods and is said to be one of the leading globally recognized, credible and robust gluten-free certification program. 

It is currently the largest and fastest growing gluten-free certification organization in North America. To date, it has certified more than 40,000 products from over 900 companies in 29 countries, and its strict process requires product reviews, onsite inspections, testing and ongoing compliance activities, including random testing.

The GFCO audits will be conducted by SGS qualified auditors combined with SGS’s Food Safety certification audits, or as a stand-alone service.