What does The Crossed Grain Trademark on gluten-free products mean?

If you follow a gluten-free diet, you have probably seen on some products the symbol of a crossed grain. This logo is a registered trademark that indicates that the product has been certified under the European Licensing System (ELS) and is regulated by the Association of European Coeliac Societies (AOECS), which delegates to its national member associations the granting and control of its use. In Spain, the Federation of Spanish Coeliac Associations (FACE) is one of the entities in charge of granting this certification to gluten-free food operators in the country.

To obtain this certification, products must meet a series of quality and food safety requirements:

• Guarantee that the gluten content does not exceed 20 mg/kg (ppm) by means of analytics, both of raw materials and finished product.
• Undergo an annual external audit by an accredited entity.
• Prepare a risk analysis in the factory in which gluten is considered as a critical control point.
• Receive specific training on celiac disease, gluten-free diet and cross-contact control.

Adpan was the first company in Spain to be certified under this license by FACE in 2005, which guaranteed that all our products contained less than 10 ppm of gluten, and every year we have been renewing the certification. Our production plant is exclusively dedicated to the manufacture of gluten-free products, thus eliminating any risk of cross-contamination. In addition, our facilities are certified by one of the most demanding quality and food safety standards in the industry: IFS.

In conclusion, ELS certification is an internationally recognized mark that offers guarantees of quality and food safety for both end consumers and companies. For this reason, if you see the symbol of the crossed grain on any product, you will know that you are looking at a reliable gluten-free products.