Celebrating International Coeliac Day

SNE, representing manufacturers of gluten-free foods specifically formulated for coeliacs,welcomes the International Coeliac Day.

Across Europe, 5 million Europeans suffer from coeliac disease, and it is estimated that a further 5 million are undiagnosed, but suffer from this condition.

Gluten intolerance, also known as coeliac disease, can only be treated through the lifelong exclusion of gluten. Gluten-free foods are specially designed to exclude gluten for consumers who are gluten intolerant.

To preserve the specific composition of these foods and ensure appropriate information to consumers, new EU rules have been adopted few years ago, ensuring the highest level of protection for EU citizens who suffer from coeliac disease and gluten intolerance.

SNE is pleased to celebrate today the International Coeliac Day, releasing its Guidance document on Gluten-free labelling.

President of SNE Udo Herz comments: “Gluten-free manufacturers across Europe are proud to contribute to improve the lives of coeliacs in Europe. This Guidance document on gluten-free labelling will ensure that food business operators across the EU are provided with appropriate information to formulate and market gluten-free foods, so that coeliac sufferers can continue to trust the foods which are essential to them in managing their intolerance”.

This guidance document emphasizes particularly the recent changes brought by the new EU rules on gluten-free foods, and particularly, the introduction of a ‘suitable for coeliacs’ and ‘specifically formulated for coeliacs’ label across Europe, which will help consumers distinguishing those products which serve as healthy substitutes for foods that normally contain gluten.

For more information:

• Aurélie Perrichet, SNE Executive Director (a.perrichet@specialisednutritioneurope.eu)

Notes to editors:

• Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE) is the trade association representing the interests of the specialised nutrition industry across the European Union. SNE members are the national associations of 18 Member States and their members are the companies producing tailor made dietary solutions for populations with very specific nutritional needs including infants and young children, patients under medical supervision, sportspeople, overweight and obese consumers, and those suffering from coeliac disease;
• The Commission Regulation (EU) 828/2014 of 30 July 2014 on the requirements for the provision of information to consumers on the absence or reduced presence of gluten in food has entered into force on 20 July 2016 and has repealed Regulation (EC) 41/2009 concerning the composition and labelling of foodstuffs suitable for people intolerant to gluten.