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Celiac.com 12/13/2022 - Being gluten-free presents some challenges for Catholics with celiac disease, especially if they cannot receive the host via the chalice, as was the case during the height of the Covid epidemic. We've done a few articles off gluten-free communion wafers, and on the church rules around them. Communion Bread Must Contain "Some" Wheat Catholics with celiac disease who hope to take communion in the form of gluten-free bread or wafers are likely hoping in vain, because according to church law, all bread that is consecrated at the altar must contain a percentage of wheat. The latest confirmation of this reality comes via Sister Fiachra Nutty, from St Mary’s Abbey, in Waterford, Ireland. Sister Fiachra’s job up until September of 2020 was baking and selling holy bread. The pandemic has "made some of our work redundant, our primary work here is prayer,” she said on RTÉ Radio 1’s Liveline. Before the pandemic, Sister Fiachra was working on Eucharist bread. She said she made five different sizes of bread both in brown and white. But there was never a gluten-free option. "We don’t do gluten-free,” she said. “That is by canon law that the bread that's concentrated at the alter must have a percentage of wheat, so we can't produce gluten-free hosts and be in conformity with canon law." She acknowledged the existence of gluten-free hosts, but noted the law. "Now, there are gluten-free hosts out there and I’m not trying to cause trouble with anybody but under canon law it's not supposed to be concentrated." Celiacs Should Take Communion from the Chalice She advises Catholics with celiac disease to consider that, absent the bread or wafer, they can choose to receive from the chalice. People who "have a problem with gluten...should really be receiving from the chalice. I know we can’t now but pre Covid.” The rule that communion hosts must contain gluten has presented challenges for numerous Catholics looking to receive communion. How much the practice of conferring host and chalice at mass has changed back to its pre-Covid ways remains unclear. Perhaps Catholics with celiac disease who take mass can chime into our comments and let us know the disposition of the host and chalice in your local parish, both pre- and post-covid. Certainly, for Catholics looking to receive communion via the host, this news will likely be unwelcome, and possibly present some challenges to receiving communion. There is also a possibility of ingesting cross-contamination when drinking from a chalice that has been shared with others who have just eaten a gluten-containing host. Are you Catholic? Have you run into this problem in your local parish? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Read more at independent.ie

Celiac.com 12/30/2021 - Current food labeling often fails to fully inform people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) about gluten contained in food. A bill before Congress, the Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2021 would require manufacturers with certain sales volumes to post nutritional and allergen information about gluten-containing grains at the online point of sale. The proposed law would cover nutrients, the disclosure of food allergens, and more. As such, the proposed changes would help people with celiac disease and NCGS to get the reliable allergen information they need when searching for food products beyond those already labeled as gluten-free, and it will require gluten-containing grains to be disclosed on food labels of all packaged items. The act would also benefit consumers with other food allergies, as well as those who have certain nutritional requirements or restrictions. The proposed law includes numerous other provisions aimed at promote consumer health and safety by expanding information and choices available to consumers with nutritional or allergic restrictions or requirements. The Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2021 is supported by Consumer Reports, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the Environmental Working Group, the National Celiac Association, the Celiac Disease Foundation, Beyond Celiac, and the Gluten Intolerance Group, among others. Read more at the Regulatory Review.

Celiac.com 11/29/2021 - For anyone who has ever been confused about the labelling of gluten and other tops allergens, help may be on the way in the form of a comprehensive food labeling bill recently introduced in the United States Congress. The bill would make it easier to require labeling for additional food allergens in the future. FLMA Offers Major Progress on Gluten Labeling Under the Food Labeling Modernization Act (FLMA), introduced in the House and Senate on August 3 as HR 4917 and S 2594, respectively, regulators could add new allergens more easily, and gluten-containing grains would need to be declared. The bill improves food labeling laws, ingredients lists on packaged foods, and front-of-package food labeling and nutrition claims. The new bill requires the FDA to define claims made on packaging including “healthy” and “natural” and require more open disclosure of “gluten-containing grains" and ingredients. For example, the bill would require gluten-containing ingredients such as barley and rye to be overtly labeled, in the same way that wheat is now labeled. That means that gluten will no longer remain hidden in yeast, malts, and flavorings. Sponsored by Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) in the House, and Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ed Markey (D-MA), in the Senate, the bill has won enthusiastic support from numerous celiac nonprofits and advocacy groups. Pallone told reporters that manufacturers must do more to properly disclose allergens. “The [FLMA] would allow FDA to act quickly to protect consumers by authorizing the agency to define major food allergens and ensure compliance,” he says. Read more in Allergic Living

Celiac.com 06/21/2021 - In a move that could help to protect people with celiac disease who purchase oral drugs, a senator in the Illinois State Legislature has sponsored a measure to require oral drugs to carry proper warning labels to alert users to the presence of gluten or other allergens. “Restaurants and grocery stores have increased their gluten-free offerings and have become far better equipped to properly label and handle items for people with dietary restrictions,” Morrison said. “People with Celiac and other gluten intolerances should feel just as protected when visiting a pharmacy.” Under the recently passed legislation, any prescription or over-the-counter drug that contains gluten that is not labeled would be considered misbranded. The fact is that most oral drugs do not contain gluten, so many consumers assume that all are gluten-free, unless otherwise specified. However, that is not true. Currently, many oral drugs do contain gluten ingredients that are not labeled and not required to be labeled by law. Inadvertently consuming gluten can be harmful to with celiac disease or other gluten intolerance, and may interfere with the action of some medications. “The measure will make it easier and safer for people with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to make informed purchases of necessary medications,” Morrison said. “We expect the food we purchase to be properly labeled, so why shouldn’t we expect the same from the medications we take?” Illinois House Bill 279 has now passed both chambers, and now goes to the Governor for approval. Read more at illinoissenatedemocrats.com.

Celiac.com 01/29/2020 - After a long time in the making, and much effort, a bill that will require drug makers to label gluten in drugs is now officially in the lap the United States Senate. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) recently introduced S.3021: Gluten in Medicine Disclosure Act of 2019 to the Senate. The proposed law makes it easier to identify gluten in prescription drugs. We've written over the years about gluten in prescription drugs, and how to find out if your drugs or medicines contains gluten. Under the Proposed Law Drug manufacturers would be required to label medications intended for human use with the list of ingredients, their source, and whether gluten is present. Sorry, but there is no coverage for pet medicines just yet. A gluten-containing drug that does not meet these requirements would be misbranded under Section 502 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This new labeling will help consumers to know, for example, if the starch in their prescription drug comes from wheat or corn, a small but important distinction. Currently, it is nearly impossible to know if there's any gluten in prescription medicine. Current FDA Law Current FDA rules require that packaged foods label wheat and 7 other allergens, but unfortunately rye and barley are not included. More alarmingly, medications are not covered, so there's no good way to figure out if prescriptions might contain gluten. Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune condition, and accidental ingestion of gluten triggers an immune response that could interfere with absorption of the medication. In many cases people must take drugs every day. People with gluten sensitivity due to celiac disease or other medical issues need to know that their medicines contain safe ingredients. Get Involved Celiac Disease Foundation CEO Marilyn G. Geller and the Celiac Disease Foundation have been major supporters of efforts to advance what became House version, HR 2074: Gluten in Medicine Disclosure Act of 2019, which garnered 47 cosponsors. Thanks are due to the CDF, the numerous supporters in the celiac community, and to Senator Blumenthal (D-CT), Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH), and Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK). The foundation will now turn to securing cosponsors for the Senate version of this important legislation that will "make it easier and safer for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to make informed purchases of needed medications." Get involved by going to celiac.org, and using the link to email your Senators to urge them to become a cosponsor, and to ask that you email your Representatives to continue to rally House support. The Foundation makes it easy. Their software handles everything, including a pre-populated message with the ability for you to personalize it, and email delivery to your Senators and Representatives.