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Coeliac UK launches ‘food without fear’ campaign

12th May 2008, 9:46am

Coeliac UK, the national Charity for people with coeliac disease, is today launching its new campaign, ‘Food Without Fear’, for the improved provision of gluten-free meals across both the public sector and commercial catering industries.

Although diagnosis rates of coeliac disease are currently low, the potential catering market share of people with coeliac disease is 660,000 or 1 in 100 of the UK population.

The commercial potential of this market segment is even higher because the need for gluten-free options drives the eating-out habits of the family and friends of those with coeliac disease too.

However, the need for gluten-free meals is clearly not being served; 67% of respondents in a survey of Coeliac UK members carried out by Oxford University said that were less likely to eat out after they had been diagnosed with coeliac disease because of the difficulties in finding safe gluten-free options.

Even the smallest trace of gluten can cause a person with coeliac disease to become seriously unwell. Often called 'being glutened', unwittingly eating gluten can lead individuals to be ill and off work for over a week.

During May, Coeliac UK is:

Running a UK-wide recipe competition for chefs of all levels of experience to create an innovative gluten-free dish to be judged by celebrity chef Giorgio Locatelli.

Lobbying politicians in Westminster and Scotland to highlight the problems faced by people with coeliac disease when they eat-out either for pleasure or necessity.

Coeliac UK Members are challenging their local restaurants and catering establishments to offer gluten-free meals.

Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Coeliac UK says: "Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease for which the only treatment is a lifelong strict gluten-free diet. The gluten-free diet is necessary to avoid the serious complications of coeliac disease such as infertility problems, bowel cancer and osteoporosis.

"And yet, even where people should feel safe, such as in hospital or school, getting a gluten-free meal can be very difficult, which is why we are pleased to have begun working with Hospital Catering Association to turn around this serious problem. We hope this work will show the way to the rest of the catering industry."

Neil Watson~Jones, Chairman of the Hospital Caterers Association (HCA) says: "The HCA is pleased to be working along side Coeliac UK to improve the situation for people with coeliac disease. Much work is being done by hospital caterers across the UK to improve food services for all patients with special dietary needs. The newly launched Coeliac UK Toolkit will be an important aid to caterers in increasing awareness of the illness and the action that should be taken to ensure patients with coeliac disease receive the appropriate food and beverages whilst in hospital".

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