GCC Regulators Submitted New Gluten-Free Food Standards
The proposed technical regulations establish strict gluten thresholds for food labeling across the region.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Allergies
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Regulators have submitted new technical standards to the World Trade Organisation to regulate gluten-free and reduced-gluten food labeling. These measures mandate that products must meet specific content thresholds and include labeling in both English and Arabic.
Why it matters
The new standards aim to enhance public health by enforcing stricter compliance and ensuring that gluten-free products are nutritionally equivalent to the items they replace.
Products labeled gluten-free must contain no more than 20mg/kg of gluten, while those with 20mg/kg to 100mg/kg are classified as reduced-gluten. Any item exceeding 100mg/kg cannot use these health claims.
The players
World Trade Organisation
This international body oversees the rules of trade between nations and is currently reviewing the submitted food safety regulations.
GCC
The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf is a regional intergovernmental union that coordinates trade and health standards among its member nations.
GSO
The GCC Standardization Organization is responsible for developing and publishing technical regulations for member states.
The details
Food manufacturers must follow Good Manufacturing Practices to prevent gluten contamination and ensure nutritional parity with conventional food counterparts. Labels must include matching Arabic text alongside the required English disclosures.
Timeline
April 2025: Original Arabic allergen regulations were published.
August 2026: GSO published English food allergen regulations.
September 28, 2026: The news regarding the new standards was published.
October 17, 2026: The deadline for public comment on the WTO notification occurs.
The Big Picture
These new standards build upon the GSO English regulations for food allergen declarations established in August 2026. The move represents a significant expansion of regional oversight by adding precise, enforceable gluten content thresholds to existing allergen disclosure requirements.
Shoppers with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities will benefit from clearer, standardized labeling that guarantees nutritional equivalence to conventional products. These regulations ensure that consumers can trust the accuracy of gluten-free claims when navigating the grocery aisle.
The takeaway
Standardizing gluten content thresholds provides critical consistency for consumers who rely on accurate labels to maintain their health. Manufacturers operating in the region must now adjust their production processes to meet these formal benchmarks to retain their health claims.
What happens next
The WTO notification remains open for public comment until October 17, 2026, after which regulators will review feedback before finalizing the standards.
Further reading
Learn more about evolving standards for food safety and dietary labeling by visiting the Allergies section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Foodnavigator.
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