If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with coeliac disease, you could be eligible to receive gluten free foods on prescription. Simply select your country of residence, and, if you live in England, fill in your postcode to check if your area is prescribing.
Your country is prescribing gluten free foods*. Request your Glutafin Taster Box by clicking the button below to sign up.
* Please note: local policies are constantly updated, and issuing a prescription is at the discretion of your GP.
Here at Glutafin, we’ve been working hard to support people on a gluten free diet for many years. We provide a wide range of gluten free products on prescription (subject to local prescribing), including delicious gluten free fresh bread. You can rest assured that all Glutafin products are produced to meet strict gluten free standards and are suitable for people with coeliac disease.
But what about your other food choices? How can you be sure that you are buying gluten free products at the supermarket, and what should you be looking out for as you choose your food?
Last month, we looked in detail at the UK labelling rules on gluten free products. That article explains exactly what to look for on product labels, including:
Gluten is often contained in foods that you might not suspect. For this reason, always refer to the ingredients deck to confirm the presence of gluten-containing ingredients. Examples include:
Shorter ingredient lists make it easier to spot potential sources of gluten, so keeping it simple helps you to keep your shopping safe. Buying the basics and cooking your own meals from scratch will give you even more confidence and control over the ingredients, and there are plenty of naturally gluten free foods to choose from.
There’s a wide range of foods that are naturally gluten free, which you can enjoy with complete confidence. These include:
Some manufacturers use the same production line to process and pack gluten-free and gluten-containing foods. Check food packaging for any ‘may contain’ statements that relate to wheat, rye, barley and oats, and avoid foods where these are used. If you are unsure, contact the manufacturer for more information.
At the end of the day, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. As the 20ppm limit shows, even small amounts of gluten can trigger the autoimmune response associated with coeliac disease, whether or not obvious symptoms occur.
Unless you know that a food is naturally gluten free, or it is clearly labelled as a gluten free product, then it is always better to err on the side of caution and choose something else.
Is ‘wheat-free’ the same as ‘gluten-free’?
No. Wheat is not the only source of gluten so ‘wheat free’ products may still contain gluten from barley or rye. If you are following a gluten free diet, you should look for the words ‘gluten free’ or the crossed grain symbol. If these claims aren’t present, check the ingredients deck for gluten-containing grains.
Are oats gluten free?
Oats themselves do not contain gluten. However, they are often contaminated with wheat during growing, harvesting and processing. It is important to only choose oats that are certified gluten free if you are following a gluten free diet.
What does ‘may contain traces of gluten’ mean?
This is a warning used on products that do not contain gluten as an ingredient, but which may have been contaminated during processing. For example, they have been produced at a factory that also produces wheat or barley-based products.
Where can I find certified gluten free products I can trust?
Glutafin provides a range of gluten free products on prescription, Including fresh bread, flour mixes, pizza bases and pasta. Availability vaires across the UK. Ask your GP or pharmacist for details.
If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with coeliac disease, you could be eligible to receive gluten free foods on prescription. Simply select your country of residence, and, if you live in England, fill in your postcode to check if your area is prescribing.
Your country is prescribing gluten free foods*. Request your Glutafin Taster Box by clicking the button below to sign up.
* Please note: local policies are constantly updated, and issuing a prescription is at the discretion of your GP.
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