Gluten-Free Certification for Restaurants & Food Service Establishments

The Gluten-Free Food Program (GFFP) certification for restaurant and food service establishments ensures all elements are in place for the consistent sourcing, menu planning, preparation, and serving of safe, reliable gluten-free foods, and brings immediate recognition within the gluten-free community to help grow the business. GFFP is in partnership and endorsed by The National Celiac Association (NCA) the most recognized and reputable advocacy group that provides education, and support for people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance. GFFP certification and NCA recognition helps businesses gain a competitive advantage that leads to customer loyalty, encourages returning business, and increases sales.

GFFP is Your Premier Partner in Gluten-Free Certification

When you work with GFFP, know you are working with an organization that is committed to helping our customers remain competitive in the ever-growing gluten-free market and achieve lasting brand loyalty,

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Developed by Experts

GFFP's Standards have been developed by industry specialists in conjunction with the National Celiac Association for the restaurant & food service industries.

High Standards

GFFP's Standards are cross referenced to FDA Regulations and Codex Standard for Foods for Special Dietary Use for Persons Intolerant to Gluten.

Efficient and Affordable

GFFP's gluten-free certification requirements are developed with our customers in mind. A great customer experience and lower costs are top priorities.

True Personalized Service

We recognize that each GFFP customer is unique, so we tailor how we work to support each customers' gluten-free business needs and food service systems.

Increases recognition of the establishment within your geographic region.
Receive free listing on GF-Finder.com website to promote your business.
Gain additional social media coverage.
Receive valuable endorsement by the National Celiac Association (NCA).
Offers a competitive advantage to connect with the celiac community and the wider gluten-free consumer audience.
Supports personal passion to serve safe and reliable gluten-free food.
Opportunity to include gluten-free diners to grow customer base and increase sales.
Demonstrates that the food establishment adheres to government regulations when making gluten-free claims.
Assigns essential gluten-free duties for front and back of house staff to observe.

Builds trust and loyalty for the establishment with gluten-free diners.
Receive gluten-free training for staff.
Gives confidence to staff when dealing with a gluten-free customer.
Assists with the development and management of the gluten-free menu.
Supports planning, directing, and controlling of the gluten-free operations.
Gluten-free protocols to monitor overall performance of the operations.
Ensures knowledge to communicate customer’s gluten-free needs and concerns.
Set work schedules and monitor staff performance.

Trained and prepared to answer detailed questions about menu, cooking/serving methods and ingredients.
Gluten-free training and better job performance leads to greater job satisfaction.
Assist a gluten-free customers make safe choices.
Confidently answer questions, or risk losing customers.
Gluten-free knowledge and skills means delivering better service and bigger tips.
Want to avoid mistakes and potential illness when serving a gluten-free customer.
Know the establishment they are working for is socially responsible.

Need to know servers are gluten-free trained for a confident dining experience.
Cross-contamination and cross-contact concerns can be communicated and addressed.
Establishment is educated in gluten-free cuisine and ingredients that involve gluten.
Can ask specific questions about the menu, cooking/serving methods and ingredients.
Access to a reliable restaurant website and can call ahead to inquire about gluten-free menu options.
A good experience will ensure a good tip for servers.
Happy gluten-free customers are loyal and will return bringing family and friends.
Will choose a gluten-free certified establishment over one which is not.

Learn more in this short video how GFFP certification endorsed by the National Celiac Association (NCA), can help your business gain a competitive advantage and increase sales by acquiring an understanding of three key customer groups that make up the gluten-free community.

GFFP Approved Mark of Trust™

Displaying the GFFP Approved Mark of Trust™ on menu boards, store front doors and windows gives added assurance to consumers looking for a safe, reliable gluten-free dining experience they can trust.

GFFP Approved Mark of Trust™ is easily identifiable and shows consumers that restaurant & food service establishments bearing the logo have GFFP approved food handling systems in place to ensure gluten-free menu items meet 20 ppm (parts-per-million) or less for gluten, as defined by government gluten-free food labeling regulations in the United States and Canada.

National Celiac Association endorsement provides restaurants & food service establishments with a powerful supporting message to help effectively market and communicate with the gluten-free community, build genuine relationships and maximize long-term customer loyalty.

Steps to Become Certified

GFFP Gluten-Free Certification for Restaurants & Food Service Establishments

GFFP gluten-free certification for restaurants & food service establishments is a voluntary program developed by industry specialists with standards founded on globally accepted, preventative gluten-free safety approaches for the safe development and serving of gluten-free menu items.

GFFP provides gluten-free standards, best-in-class conformance specifications and GF-Smart™ Training designed specifically for the food service industry. GFFP benefits a wide range of businesses including restaurants, fast food outlets, cafes, schools and universities, seniors’ residences and hospitals as well as caterers, remote camps, executive dining rooms, hotels and convention centers. Implementation of the GFFP’s Standards increases consumer confidence that gluten-free food handling procedures have been reviewed by a neutral party and confirms a sincere commitment to the gluten-free diner.

To further support certification, GFFP requires that all gluten-free menu items meet the strictest industry testing requirement of 20 ppm (parts-per-million) or less for gluten, as defined by government gluten-free food labeling regulations in the United States and Canada. This promotes the highest safety standard, confidence and brand loyalty amongst the celiac community and those who require gluten-free food for other health reasons.

GFFP certifies both dedicated and non-dedicated gluten-free restaurants & food service establishments, so long as those establishments conform to the requirements as set out in the GFFP Standards.

Once certified, an establishments can enter into a license agreement and receive the GFFP Approved Mark of Trust™ displaying the establishment as trusted place for a safe and reliable gluten-free dining experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gluten-Free Food Service Certification

Are you considering getting certified gluten-free for your restaurant or food service establishment? Many companies and individuals have questions about the certification process. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about gluten-free certification.

Certifying your products with the Gluten-Free Food Program (GFFP) is a cost-effective way to demonstrate to gluten-free consumers that the product meets the strictest industry requirement of 5 ppm (parts-per-million) or less for gluten as established by the National Celiac Association. Consumers are looking for trust and reassurance that a product contains the lowest level of gluten possible in a product. GFFP gluten-free certification will reassure consumers with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities that the products are safe to consume. Overall, GFFP certification further helps food companies strategically expand into other distribution channels, increase customer trust, improve product safety, and gain a competitive advantage.

There are several benefits to obtaining GFFP gluten-free certification. The Gluten-Free Food Program (GFFP) certification standards meets government Gluten-Free Food Labeling Final Rule in the United States, Canada and other governmental organizations internationally, allowing the use of third-party gluten-free certification claims. This immediately increases consumer confidence that a neutral party has reviewed manufacturing procedures and demonstrates the legitimacy of the manufacturer’s gluten-free processes. GFFP gluten-free certification helps companies get new products to market quickly, increasing sales opportunities. GFFP offers a variety of value-added services through our Certification Plus program to help our customers reach the gluten-free community and health-conscious shoppers.

The costs of obtaining a gluten-free certification can vary depending on the size and complexity of a company and the number of products to be certified. The cost for Gluten-Free Food Program (GFFP) certification starts as low as $1,250. We guarantee transparency when we provide you with a quote – GFFP does not charge Application Fees, Scheme Operation Fees, or other hidden surcharges for the program.

The requirements for gluten-free certification will vary according to the third-party gluten-free standard being used by a manufacturing company or food service provider. Generally, a gluten-free certification standard requires that the product has been produced, sourced, and labeled according to strict gluten-free quality standards that meet or exceed government gluten-free food labeling rules where the product is made and sold.

The Gluten-Free Food Program (GFFP) takes a comprehensive approach to certification that involves regulatory compliance, stringent testing methods, product traceability, and certification auditing procedures. Our team of experts is knowledgeable in all aspects of the gluten-free industry and has worked to develop an easy-to-follow, cost-effective certification process. We understand the food safety complexities and challenges by businesses and are committed to helping our clients through each step of the process.

Endorsed by the National Celiac Association

National Celiac Association endorsement provides gluten-free brands with a powerful supporting message to help effectively market and communicate with the gluten-free community, build genuine relationships and maximize long-term customer loyalty.

Steps to Become GFFP Certified

GFFP certification is based on an evaluation your gluten-free menu and methods for preparing and serving gluten-free food to ensure compliance with the GFFP Standards, Certification also includes GF-Smart^TM Training covering the essential elements for the consistent sourcing, menu planning, preparation, and serving of safe, reliable gluten-free foods.

Prior to certification, you will be issued the GFFP Pre-Certification Evaluation form for completion and return to GFFP by email:

To understand your readiness for GFFP certification, the evaluation form is provided to understand and assess key factors about your existing operations and methods for preparing and serving gluten-free food. Upon completion, GFFP will schedule a call or Zoom meeting to discuss the results and present areas for improvement if any, to ensure a successful certification outcome.

An essential part of GFFP certification is staff training. Included with certification your establishment will receive three (3) complimentary GF-Smart^TM training sessions for selected staff. Training topics include planning and managing a gluten-free kitchen, ingredient sourcing & storage practices, gluten-free food preparation, customer engagement & serving practices, and gluten management strategies for avoiding cross-contamination. There are no prerequisites for the course and training is performed 100% online on any smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer. Successful participants receive a GF-Smart training certificate valid for 3 years. Training can be taken as many times needed to complete.

Once you are comfortable that all GFFP requirements can be consistently met, your GFFP review is scheduled with your GFFP representative. It is recommended that you schedule a time for the review with minimal disruption to your day-to-day operations. For example, we do not recommend scheduling your review during your busiest period. A typical review takes approximately one-half to a full day to complete (depending on size of operations) and generally progresses in the following order:

GFFP review is performed by Zoom meeting with exchange of information by email.
Review of the gluten-free menu and related ingredients.
Review of front and back of house processes, workflow, and control points in the preparation and serving of gluten-free food.
Interviews with management and staff as needed.
Review of supporting documentation, as needed.

At the conclusion to review the GFFP auditor will schedule a time to present the review results, including possible issues where corrective actions may be required to satisfy the requirements for GFFP certification. If corrective actions are required, the GFFP reviewer will be document the issues and a reasonable timeline will be established to implement and confirm corrective actions have been made. GFFP will provide personalized help to guide, support and facilitate the corrective action process.

Upon completion of certification the following information and services will be provided:

Upon certification approval you will receive your GFFP Certificate of Recognition (COR) notifying that your gluten-free products meet the GFFP requirements for gluten-free certification.

Additionally, you will receive electronic copies of the GFFP Certified Mark of trust™ logo and messaging for use in your marketing communications, websites and social media networks, windows and doors, menus, and menu boards and on display cases, to help clearly promote your establishment as ‘certified gluten-free’.

The GFFP logo is highly recognizable and notifies consumers that establishments bearing the logo meet the GFFP requirements and affords the most protection for people affected with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities.

GFFP provides value-add services at no additional cost, to our gluten-free certified customers by promoting them to the celiac community, wider public and grocery retail organizations.

Certification fee includes a free business listing on www.GF-Finder.com our consumer-focused directory dedicated to helping gluten-free consumers know where to find trusted GFFP certified establishments. Listing includes the opportunity to share news, articles & blog posts, recipes, and stories.

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GF-Smart™ Professional Training

As an integral part of GFFP gluten-free certification, participating food service establishments receive free GF-Smart™ Training for selected staff.

GF-Smart™ Training is also available to non-participants for a minimal fee.

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Have questions or not sure where to start?

Contact us to speak with a representative or receive a no-obligation quote. Our staff is available anytime to answer questions and help navigate the decisions toward achieving gluten-free certification for your company.