Certify Products as Low FODMAP

This will depend on how many and the type of products that are applying for certification.

As a general guide, it will take approximately 6 to 8 weeks to complete the certification process for one product. Note that this timeframe is an estimate only and relies on each step of the certification process being fulfilled in a timely manner.

The following fees apply to certify a product:

• Pre-assessment fee
• Laboratory testing fee
• Annual licence fee

The pre-assessment fee is a flat rate of $20 AUD ex GST / $16 USD per product to submit a pre-assessment application.

The laboratory and annual licence fees will depend on the number of products. Please contact us at certification@monashfodmap.com with your details and to request a quote.

The initial pre-assessment step requires submitting general information that can be found on product packaging, such as ingredients (ranked from highest to lowest quantity), serve size and nutrition information.

Any information that you provide will be treated as confidential. Read more on how we treat confidential information at our terms and conditions page.

The sample amount required depends on whether it is an existing product or is new to the market:

• For existing products: 3 samples from 3 different batches per product is required.
• For new products (i.e., not on the market): 2 samples of at least 50-100 g/mL each (or 100-200 g/mL) from the same batch per product is required. Ideally the samples should be split in two samples of 50-100 gram/mL each, however we can accept the sample combined into a single vessel.

Products must undergo thorough laboratory analysis to quantify its FODMAP content and determine if it meets the low FODMAP criteria established by the Monash research team.

This means samples will be tested for the individual FODMAPs (glucose and fructose to calculate excess fructose, the polyols sorbitol and mannitol, total fructans, the galacto-oligosaccharides raffinose and stachyose, and lactose) using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC – the gold standard for carbohydrates testing) and an enzymatic assay.

We have two approved lab facilities where product samples can be sent for FODMAPs analysis: in Wisconsin, USA and in Victoria, Australia. We will determine which is the best facility for you to send your samples and will provide shipping instructions once you have reached the testing stage of the process.

Yes, we have partnered with an established and reliable commercial laboratory in the United States to test products applying for Monash certification, making it simple, quick and cost effective for US, Canadian and other nations to send samples for analysis.

To qualify for our program, samples of your product must be tested at one of our approved lab facilities that have been audited by our team and proven to produce reliable results. This instils confidence in consumers that Monash certified products have been tested using gold standard lab techniques to meet the low FODMAP criteria. Unfortunately we are unable to accept FODMAP results from a non-approved facility that we have not audited.

Yes, we certify fresh fruit or vegetables for produce suppliers under our product certification program.

Yes, we certify raw ingredients supplied by ingredient suppliers and manufacturers under our product certification program.

Yes, we do. However please note that we only test and confirm whether a supplement or medical grade food meets the low FODMAP criteria. We do not conduct any clinical trials or provide endorsements to support any claims made by a product other than it meets the low FODMAP criteria at the recommended serve size.

Medical grade foods (or foods that are accessible via healthcare practitioners only) cannot be listed in the Monash FODMAP app or on our social media pages which are reserved for non-medical grade foods and ingredients only. However these products can still carry the Monash certified trademarks on labels, online and in materials (e.g. informational sheets for health professionals).

Nutritional products and supplements must carry an advisory statement on labels and in promotions to indicate that they have been tested for their FODMAP content only. The required advisory statements will be outlined in the style guide and confirmed at the time of notifying that the product has met the low FODMAP criteria.

No, only products that have that have gone through all the certification steps, including laboratory testing, can claim to be Monash certified.

Please note that using a Monash certified ingredient in a formulation will not automatically guarantee that the end product will meet the low FODMAP criteria. There are many other factors that can impact on the FODMAP content, including the combination and types of other ingredients used and manufacturing procedures (e.g., heating, boiling and cooling). This is why laboratory testing forms a critical part in determining whether a product does or does not meet the low FODMAP criteria.

Examples:

• Flour mixes for breads, cakes, muffins, and pancakes
• Dehydrated / pre-packaged meals, such as instant noodles (that comes with its own noodles and seasoning) and instant vegetarian paella (that comes with its own rice, dehydrated vegetables, and seasoning)
• Recipe bases or store-bought meal kits, such as a beef casserole that requires consumers to add their own beef and vegetables

Yes, these types of products are welcome to apply for product certification. On the pre-assessment form, you must provide the full recipe (including the ingredients to be added and which are not supplied, plus the methodology) in the Food Preparation section. Note that the ingredients that you are required to individually list in this form should only include those ingredients found within your packaged product without the additional ingredients consumers are required to add (i.e., the ingredients as listed on the product label).

All products are tested in there "as consumed" state. This means that products that need to be prepared in order to be eaten will need to be prepared for the purposes of lab analysis. Depending on the complexity of the recipe and type of product, you may be required to prepare your product prior to sending samples for analysis. Please contact us at certification@monashfodmap.com if you would like to find out the specific sample requirements for your product.

If you offer multiple recipes for your product, please get in touch with us at certification@monashfodmap.com so we may provide further guidance on your application and testing requirements.

Certified brands are responsible for notifying the Monash team of any changes made to an approved formula with the next steps to be considered on a case by case basis. For example, low risk or minimal changes can be approved in writing (e.g. supplier or manufacturer change for a low FODMAP ingredient). High risk or substantial changes may require laboratory testing to ensure that the product will continue to meet the low FODMAP criteria (e.g. removing and adding different ingredients, increasing the amount of a moderate or high FODMAP ingredient).

An audit of certified products will be conducted with products to be selected on a random basis. An audit will not occur during the first year of joining the program. Audit fees will apply.