Potato-Based Blue Ice Vodka First Spirit To Carry Gluten Free Package Labeling -- LOS ANGELES, April 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- LOS ANGELES, April 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Ice Vodka, an American potato vodka produced at Distilled Resources, Inc. in Rigby, Idaho, announces a benchmark achievement among the spirits industry, earning distinction as the first spirit brand in the country to feature a "Gluten Free" designation on the package label. A Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is required for all alcoholic beverage labels. With testing methods in place to verify all gluten free claims, Blue Ice Vodka is the first spirit brand to achieve a "Gluten Free" COLA approval by the TTB. "Introduced in 2001, Blue Ice Vodka catapulted America's first and largest potato distillery, Distilled Resources, Inc. [formerly Silver Creek Distillers, Inc.] onto the map with a homegrown, premium vodka made from Idaho Russet Burbank Potatoes," said Gray Ottley , Director, Distilled Resources, Inc. We are very proud of our vodka distilling heritage and pioneering efforts at Distilled Resources, Inc. and with Blue Ice, specifically. Three years in the making, federal approval to officially label Blue Ice Vodka as gluten free is another progressive step for the industry and for all of those who suffer from gluten intolerance. May is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Celiac disease is a digestive disorder triggered by intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. It is one of the most common genetic autoimmune conditions in the world and often goes undiagnosed. It is estimated that as many as one in 141 Americans, or about 1% of the population, has celiac disease. The only existing treatment is a 100% gluten free diet. Previous to this landmark "Gluten Free" COLA approval, gluten free claims by spirit companies have been prohibited on package labeling. Blue Ice Vodka received official COLA approval in December 2012. The approved gluten free designation appears on the Blue Ice flagship potato vodka label in the form of a red badge labeled, "Gluten Free" in the upper right corner of the bottle. Blue Ice Vodka bottles featuring the new packaging are now in market nationwide. About Blue Ice Vodka Blue Ice Vodka (750 ml SRP $20) is a gluten free spirit made from Idaho Russet Burbank Potatoes and is produced at Distilled Resources, Inc. in Rigby, Idaho by Master Distiller, Bill Scott . Blue Ice added Blue Ice Organic Wheat Vodka (750 ml SRP $24) in 2009 and Blue Ice G Vodka (750 ml SRP $15) in 2012, expanding the brand's commitment to premium vodkas reflective of the purity of America's natural resources. Blue Ice Vodka is owned by 21st Century Spirits based in Los Angeles, California. For additional information, visit www.blueicevodka.com. SOURCE Blue Ice Vodka RELATED LINKS http://www.blueicevodka.com