Perrigo Company today announced it will implement a labeling program to helpconsumers more clearly identify more than 200 of the company'sover-the-counter store-brand pharmaceuticals that are gluten-free, starting inJanuary 2010. Previously, the only way a consumer could verify apharmaceutical product as "gluten-free" was to call Perrigo directly. Now,consumers will be able to identify whether a Perrigo-supplied product is"gluten-free" simply by reading the product label.
Perrigo will be the first manufacturer to offer its customers the abilityto place gluten-free statements on a wide range of over-the-counterpharmaceutical products. The new initiative will include all of Perrigo'sbest-selling categories, such as pain relievers, cold and allergy, andantacids. The company already has more than 200 dietary supplements that arepart of a similar labeling program.
To support the gluten-free labeling initiative, Perrigo has instituted agluten-free assurance program. Perrigo's program is based on the acceptablethresholds of gluten (less than 20 parts per million) identified by the FDAfor the food industry. It is comprised of a gluten testing methodology for rawmaterials and products, as well as ongoing quality assurance for ingredientand formula changes.
Perrigo initiated the labeling program specifically in response to anincreasing market demand for gluten-free products. Questions from consumersregarding the gluten content of Perrigo-manufactured products have recentlyranked among the company's top call center inquiries.
Perrigo's Chairman and CEO Joseph C. Papa stated, "Our retail customerscan continue to rely on Perrigo to pinpoint and act on consumer trends. Thisincludes the growing list of individuals who need to know whether or not aproduct is gluten-free."
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. It is estimated thatin the United States, one in seven people have a gluten intolerance, and threemillion people suffer from celiac disease - when it is medically necessary toconsume only food and medicines that are gluten-free. In addition to thosediagnosed with celiac disease, millions more Americans, an estimated 15percent, suffer from varying levels of gluten intolerance.