Gluten-Free Symbols: How to Recognize Them
People with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, especially if recently diagnosed, may find it difficult to shop or understand which products can be safely consumed. Their friends and family may also feel uncertain, worried about putting their loved ones’ health at risk.
Supermarkets, as well as specialized gluten-free stores, are increasingly filled with packages, foods, labels, logos, and brands that can cause information overload, confusing or stressing anyone who needs to follow a strict or semi-strict diet. This short article aims to simplify the shopping process by explaining gluten-free symbols and the labels you might encounter.
AIC and the “Crossed Grain” Symbol
In Italy, the organization responsible for protecting people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance is AIC (Associazione Italiana Celiachia).
AIC was founded in 1979 by a group of parents aiming to protect their celiac children at a time when celiac disease was little known and often misdiagnosed or difficult to identify.
Today, AIC is the main reference point in Italy for thousands of people, and its logo, the Crossed Grain, has become a standard for food safety.
The certified AIC gluten-free symbol was registered in the late 1990s. It appears in red on white-background packages, or white on red-background packages, with the ® of registered logo, accompanied by a code indicating the country of certification (in our case, IT), the manufacturer, and the product itself.
To use the Crossed Grain on gluten-free products, companies must pass annual AIC inspections, which certify company conditions and that the product contains a maximum of 20 ppm of gluten—the lowest detectable amount with scientific instruments, tolerable for both celiac and gluten-intolerant individuals.
Other Gluten-Free Labels: A Quick Guide
The Crossed Grain is not the only “gluten-free” symbol found on food packages. In addition to the AIC Crossed Grain logo, granted to companies that pass strict periodic tests for gluten absence, other ways to identify gluten-free products include:
- “Senza glutine”, “no glutine”, “gluten free”
- “Crossed Grain Logo”
- “Specifically formulated for celiacs – gluten-intolerant individuals”
- “Suitable for celiacs – gluten-intolerant individuals”
- “May contain gluten”
- “May contain traces of gluten”
- “With very low gluten content”
These labels can be confusing, so here’s some clarification:
“Senza glutine”, “no glutine”, “gluten free”
This is the official wording under EU Regulation No. 828/2014, supervised in Italy by the Ministry of Health. Its presence ensures the product is safe for celiac and gluten-intolerant individuals.
“Crossed Grain Logo”
Managed by AIC, this logo is granted to companies that pass strict periodic tests ensuring gluten absence in their production. Its presence guarantees product safety for celiacs and gluten-intolerant individuals.
“Specifically formulated for celiacs – gluten-intolerant individuals”
Used only for foods where gluten, normally present, has been reduced or replaced. For safety, the “gluten-free” label must still be present.
“Suitable for celiacs – gluten-intolerant individuals”
Can be used for any product, but to guarantee safety, it must always be paired with the “gluten-free” label.
“May contain gluten”
Indicates the product could contain a significant amount of gluten due to contamination. Consumption by celiac or gluten-intolerant individuals is not recommended.
“May contain traces of gluten”
Indicates a possible small presence of gluten, “traces” indeed. Consumption by celiacs is not advised, but may be tolerated by people with mild intolerance due to low contamination. For more certainty, consult a doctor.
“With very low gluten content”
Used only for products containing ingredients derived from wheat, rye, barley, oats, or their hybrid varieties. Indicates a maximum of 100 mg/kg of gluten. This label is less common, as it applies to gluten-containing products with a specific contamination threshold, making them unsuitable for celiacs or highly intolerant individuals.
Over time, product ingredients may change, and a previously gluten-free food may no longer be safe for celiacs, or a company may no longer guarantee zero contamination. For this reason, even with habitual consumption, always purchase packages that explicitly display a “gluten-free” symbol.
La Veronese® Gluten-Free Guarantee
Since 1930, La Veronese® ensures a controlled supply chain, free from GMOs and contamination. Our diligence has earned us multiple certifications over the years. In our shop, you can find gluten-free products suitable for both celiacs and gluten-intolerant individuals, marked with the official “senza glutine – gluten free” label on the packaging.
