In the United States, there are clear standards for “gluten-free” labeling on packaged foods—but those rules do not apply to restaurants or food businesses.

There are currently:

• No standardized requirements for preventing cross-contact in kitchens
• No required staff training on gluten safety
• No consistent expectations for how businesses communicate risk --

That means:

• “Gluten-free” can still involve shared fryers, surfaces, or equipment
• Staff may not know how food is actually prepared
• Staff might not comprehend the danger of cross contamination / understand how to avoid such
• Customers are left guessing—and taking dangerous health risks
• Cross-contact—when gluten-free food is exposed through shared equipment or environments—is a well-documented risk that is not consistently addressed in current guidance.

Someone with celiac disease can order carefully, communicate clearly, choose “gluten-free”…and still experience exposure. A risk that can cause severe symptoms and even hospitalization. Not because businesses don’t care; but because there are no clear, consistent standards in place.

The Safe Plate Act is a practical, scalable approach to improving food safety and transparency across all food businesses. Including: Restaurants, Cafés and coffee shops, Bakeries, Food trucks and pop-ups, Takeout and delivery kitchens, Medical/Rehabilitation centers

This initiative would introduce:
• Standardized gluten safety protocols
• Basic staff training on cross-contact prevention
• Clear, consistent menu and communication standards
• Required access to documented gluten safety practices upon request

All food businesses would be expected to clearly communicate their gluten safety practices when asked, including:

• Whether they have a dedicated gluten-free preparation area
• Whether fryers, ovens, or equipment are shared
• What steps are taken to prevent cross-contact
• Whether staff follow glove-changing and sanitation protocols

Staff would be trained to provide accurate, consistent answers, so customers can make informed decisions before ordering.

The Safe Plate Act also introduces a clear, non-punitive way for businesses to communicate their level of gluten safety:

• Safe Plate Certified — meets defined safety protocols
• Gluten-Aware — shared kitchen, some precautions
• No Gluten-Safe Options — cannot safely accommodate

Not every business needs to be gluten-free. But every business should be clear and honest.

This initiative is not about making things harder.

It is designed to:

• Scale based on business size and type
• Align with existing food safety practices
• Provide clarity for staff and confidence for customers
• Businesses are also encouraged (but not required) to implement celiac-safe preparation areas—creating a powerful opportunity to build trust and attract a loyal customer base.

Businesses that implement enhanced safety measures—such as a dedicated celiac-safe preparation area or strict cross-contact prevention protocols—would be eligible for:

• Safe Plate Certified designation (top-tier rating)
• Public recognition through a state or local directory of safe dining options
• Increased visibility to a highly loyal and underserved customer base
• The opportunity to build stronger trust and repeat business

While not every business can offer a fully dedicated gluten-free environment, those that choose to invest in safer preparation areas can clearly communicate that commitment to customers.

This creates a system where businesses are rewarded for higher safety standards, customers can easily identify safer dining options, and the number of celiac-safe spaces naturally increases over time.

Dining out should not feel like a risk. People with celiac disease deserve clear information, consistent safety practices, and the ability to trust what they are being served.

Right now, even the term “gluten-free” can be confusing or inconsistently applied—creating uncertainty that directly impacts health and safety. This is a gap we can fix. It’s time to bring clarity, consistency, and trust to gluten-free dining. Sign the petition to support the Safe Plate Act and help create safer, more transparent food practices for everyone!