The AOAC Gluten and Food Allergens (GFA) Program develops standardized, consensus-driven methods and validation guidelines for reliable allergen and gluten detection — serving industry, government, and academia.
Key activities include developing validation guidelines for gluten (ELISA and lateral-flow methods) and food allergen immunoassays to improve reliability and compliance, with ongoing work expanding into DNA-based and mass spectrometric methods to better address complex, processed food matrices.
Why It Matters
Science that protects consumers
Science-Based Guidance
Consensus frameworks for method developers, manufacturers, academia, and government.
Fit-for-Purpose Methods
Analytical clarity for a technically complex field — matrix challenges and evolving needs.
Practical
Resources
Guidance documents helping laboratories make informed method selection decisions.
Stakeholder Collaboration
Bridges government, industry, and academia for real-world analytical impact.
Allergen Management
Strengthens decision-making for allergen risk management across the supply chain.
Consumer Protection
Better testing strategies to protect people living with food allergies and celiac disease.
Get Involved
Shape the future of allergen testing standards
- Join the GFA Advisory Panel as a Program Supporter. Advisory Panel members are funding organizations that provide strategic direction, ensuring alignment with stakeholder needs and helping establish guidance that is both scientifically rigorous and globally relevant.
Become a Supporter >
- Join the current GFA Working Group. AOAC is continuing its call for experts and volunteers to participate in the Gluten & Food Allergens Program. All levels of experience are welcome to participate in these efforts.
Join a Working Group >
- If you are interested in supporting GFA or would like more information, please contact us.
GFA Program at a Glance
Est. 2020
Since 2020, the GFA Program has mobilized scientists, food manufacturers, regulators, and testing laboratories across 20+ countries to develop standardized, consensus-based methods for gluten and food allergen detection — protecting consumers and strengthening the science behind food safety.
AOAC’s credibility is derived from leveraging the expertise of its international pool of volunteer subject matter experts to address analytical challenges with reliable, fit for purpose, and validated methods.
