Coeliac UK is a wonderful charity that raises awareness about Coeliac Disease, an autoimmune disease that affects 1 in 100 people in the UK and 1 in 10 of those who have a first degree relative with it. Coeliac Disease is often surprisingly misunderstood by so many- it is not an allergy and you do not grow out of it. Contamination of food with crumbs and residue of gluten-containing food can cause a person who lives with Coeliac Disease to become unwell: this can be tiredness, anaemia, liver impairment, B12 deficiency, iron deficiency, vomiting, growth restriction in children, lack of concentration, bowel inflammation, diarrhoea, bloating, constipation and many other symptoms. Food must be prepared separately away from utensils contaminated with gluten. This is not a food fad and it matters to those affected. Read more here about contamination: https://www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/your-gluten-free-hub/home-of-gluten-free-recipes/new-to-gluten-free-cooking/cross-contamination/

Food needs to be properly labelled by manufacturers and prepared appropriately in restaurants and often this is not done and causes illness. Coeliac UK is raising standards and encouraging restaurants and food manufacturers to meet appropriate guidance requirements to keep people living with Coeliac Disease safe.

Gluten free food is very expensive and this makes it very difficult for those living with Coeliac Disease, especially if living with limited income and support. Coeliac UK is asking for food prices to be more in line with gluten containing products to make food more affordable for people with a Coeliac Disease. https://www.coeliac.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/cost-access-and-availability-of-gluten-free-food/

Thank you Coeliac UK for investing into research, which is absolutely vital for the future.

https://www.coeliac.org.uk/research/for-researchers/