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Celiac.com 02/09/2024 - In a push for increased inclusivity, a gluten-intolerant student has garnered overwhelming support for her petition urging McDonald's to offer more gluten-free options in its UK branches. Chloe Radzikowski, a 22-year-old trainee paramedic from Leigh, launched the petition, which highlights the disparity in gluten-free offerings between UK and European outlets of the fast-food giant. So far, the petition has gained over 10,000 signatures. Radzikowski, who developed gluten intolerance last year, expressed her shock and frustration at discovering that McDonald's provided more gluten-free choices in its European locations than in the UK. Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, she emphasized the challenges faced by those with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance, describing the limited food choices and the anxiety associated with potential illness from unintentional gluten consumption. In the UK, McDonald's offers a handful of gluten-free items, including fries, hash browns, fruit bags, carrot sticks, salads, and some desserts. However, the chain explicitly states that, due to the setup of their kitchens, they cannot guarantee the prevention of cross-contamination, and burgers are notably absent from the list of gluten-free options. Radzikowski's advocacy gained momentum after her discovery of a more extensive gluten-free menu in McDonald's Spanish restaurants during a family holiday to Lanzarote. Her petition emphasizes the need for a broader range of gluten-free choices in the UK, aligning with the diverse dietary requirements of individuals with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance. A McDonald's spokesperson responded to the petition, noting that all UK staff undergo allergen awareness training, emphasizing the importance of preparing customized orders with clear allergen labeling. Despite the existing gluten-free offerings, the petition draws attention to the unmet demand for gluten-free burgers and a more comprehensive menu that accommodates a wider spectrum of dietary needs. The petition has attracted notable support, including an endorsement from reality TV star Megan McKenna. As the number of signatures continues to climb, the movement highlights the growing demand for increased gluten-free options in popular fast-food chains, shedding light on the importance of accessible and diverse food choices for individuals with specific dietary requirements. McDonald's now faces increasing pressure to address these concerns and enhance its gluten-free offerings in the UK. Read more at BBC News
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Celiac.com 10/09/2023 - Eleanor McGinn, a resident of a retirement community in Maryland, has filed a lawsuit alleging that the facility, Broadmead, repeatedly served her food containing gluten despite knowing about her celiac disease. The lawsuit, filed in Maryland District Court, claims that Broadmead violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by discriminating against McGinn based on her disability. The claim also includes allegations of breach of contract, negligence in food preparation, and negligent misrepresentation. These claims stem from McGinn's reliance on Broadmead's assurances that she would receive gluten-free food and the facility's promotion of a gluten-free dietary program. Before moving to Broadmead in 2017, McGinn had met with the facility's dining director to discuss the severity of her celiac disease. She was assured that the kitchen staff understood the condition, and that Broadmead's gluten-free options were both abundant and safe. However, within the first six months of her stay, McGinn fell ill six times due to gluten exposure. The lawsuit contends that this repeated gluten exposure has had a compounding toxic effect on McGinn, leading to increasingly severe gluten reactions over time. As a result, her condition now substantially limits her major life activities, including eating and the major functions of her immune, digestive, bowel, and neurological systems. Additionally, the complaint alleges that McGinn was socially isolated, because she often had to wait for her gluten-free food while others had already finished eating. Eventually, she says she stopped going to the dining hall altogether. Andrew Rozynski, counsel for McGinn, hopes that this lawsuit will raise awareness about the needs of individuals with celiac disease. He emphasizes the importance of communities honoring their commitments to provide gluten-free options, as advertised. Celiac disease is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act because individuals with the condition have varying needs at different times in their lives, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation. This case is not the first of its kind; in 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruled against a restaurant in Colonial Williamsburg that refused to let a child with a severe gluten allergy eat his own food. In that case, the court found that either the restaurant or the child could prevail in a potential lawsuit, ultimately vacating the district court's judgment. In 2020, a University of Maryland student sued the university for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by serving her gluten-containing food, and the case was settled out of court. Stay tuned for more on this and related stories. Read more at thedailyrecord.com
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Is Disney Still a Good Gluten Friendly Destination?
Jefferson Adams posted an article in Additional Concerns
Celiac.com 09/19/2023 - Disney has long been celebrated for their wide range of park dining options catering to gluten-free guests. However, recent reports suggest a decline in gluten-free offerings, leaving some Disney fans concerned, especially those with conditions like celiac disease, who need to eat a gluten-free diet. For individuals with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, finding safe dining options can be challenging, but Disney has had a history of commitment to accommodating these dietary needs. They have not only offered gluten-free menu items but have also provided gluten-free versions of popular dishes like Mickey-shaped waffles. This dedication has made Disney a go-to destination for families with members who require gluten-free diets. However, recent feedback in Disney Dining, from guests visiting Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, has raised concerns about the diminishing availability of gluten-free options. One recent guest with celiac disease expressed disappointment in the reduced gluten-free choices and increased difficulty in ordering through the Disney app. They reported that some locations had no gluten-free options at all, leaving them with limited choices for meals. The guest's feedback has sparked a discussion among Disney enthusiasts, with some expressing similar concerns about the decline in gluten-free offerings. While opinions vary, this criticism potentially tarnishes Disney's reputation for accommodating dietary restrictions. Disney's response to this feedback will be closely watched by fans and the public. Maintaining a reputation for catering to diverse dietary needs, including gluten-free diets, has been a point of pride for the company. Addressing these concerns promptly and effectively is essential for ensuring that Disney remains an inclusive and welcoming destination for all visitors, regardless of their dietary requirements. What do you think? Have you been to a Disney park lately? How was your experience with gluten-free food access and options? Share your story below. Read more in Disney Dining.- 3 comments
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Where Can I Get Gluten-Free McDonald's Options in Europe?
Jefferson Adams posted an article in Gluten-Free Travel
Celiac.com 09/05/2017 - Did you know that it's not uncommon for many McDonald's stores in Europe to offer gluten-free buns? If you're lucky enough to find yourself in Europe any time soon, here's a quick list of European countries where you can get Gluten-Free McDonald's Buns. Remember, not every McDonald's location offers gluten-free options, so always check first. Numerous McDonald's restaurants in these countries offer gluten-free bun options: Austria Denmark Finland Hungary Italy Norway Portugal Spain Sweden Switzerland The Netherlands The bigger question is when will they offer gluten-free buns in the USA? -
Panera Quietly Testing Gluten-Free Bread Options
Jefferson Adams posted an article in Additional Concerns
Celiac.com 12/04/2015 (Updated 02/11/2019) - Note that since this article was originally published Panera changed their offerings from “gluten-free” to “gluten-friendly” due to the risk of cross-contamination, and their Web site indicates that their offering are not safe for celiacs. In what may be good news for gluten-free bread lovers, Panera Bread, the national-fast casual restaurant that centers around freshly baked goods, is now testing out a new products to bring in gluten-free customers. The company plans to test a gluten-free Rosemary Focaccia Roll in 15 stores in the Detroit area, and plans to take the product nation-wide in the second half of 2016. To be successful, the chain will have to succeed where many others have failed; they will have to produce a high-quality product that is tasty, commercially viable, and safe for people with celiac disease. Panera's effort is headed in part by the company's head baker Tom Gumpel, who says that there is currently "…little to no good-tasting gluten-free bread in this country, and I've eaten about every slice there is." To solve the quality/taste challenge, Panera has created a focaccia roll rather than a loaf of bread. The roll is made from white sorghum from Africa, and contains sprouted broccoli, chia, and flax seeds for better nutrition and improved bread texture. As far as folks with celiac disease are concerned, they will need to exercise some caution, because while Panera's bread is made in gluten-free facility and with gluten-free ingredients, it will be stored and served alongside the store's regular offerings, which may be an issue for more sensitive people. A review by Yahoo Food says that the bread is made with olive oil, and then basted with it, giving the bread a slightly greasy quality. The flavor becomes more nutty and rich with toasting, and may work best on breakfast or hot sandwiches. As for price, in the test region, the bread will cost $1.50 more as an option on a sandwich, 75 cents more as a side choice, and a $1 each if purchased retail. What do you think? Excited to try Panera's new gluten-free focaccia? Share your comments below. Read more at Yahoo.com -
Celiac.com 02/12/2018 - Coffee giant Starbucks is debuting a new line of vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options on menu throughout the UK. The company's announcement was timed to coincide with 'Veganuary,' a month-long promotion of the vegan lifestyle. The inclusion of oat milk to the new menu means that Starbucks now offers four dairy-free alternatives for their hot beverages: oat milk; almond milk; coconut milk; and soy milk. BBQ jack fruit is apparently the new vegan alternative to pulled pork, so the new item should be both an emotional and nutritious alternative to meat. If you're hankering for a meaty, vegan sandwich alternative, then the bbq jackfruit wrap is just the thing for you. The new seeded whole wheat wrap comes with shredded carrot and puréed sweetcorn slaw. According to Starbucks, the jackfruit wrap is chalked full of protein. For those who haven't given up meat, but have given up gluten, Starbucks offers a Chicken & Pesto Gluten Free Panini. Beginning January 2018, these and other items will be available at Starbucks locations throughout the UK. Hopefully this and more gluten-free options will spread to Starbucks in the USA and other countries. Read more at: Gloucestershirelive.co.uk
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Celiac.com 08/11/2017 - We are very pleased to provide an exciting update on our progress on bringing our therapeutic drug "latiglutenase" and our diagnostic disease management tool "CypCel" to market for patients suffering with celiac disease. ImmunogenX is a clinical-stage company founded by dedicated scientists committed to bettering the lives of celiac disease patients. We are focused on celiac disease therapy, disease management and food safety. We acquired the assets of Alvine Pharmaceuticals in 2016 and are marching ahead with great confidence and enthusiasm and plan to start our final Phase 2 trial for latiglutenase later this year. Latiglutenase is a natural product, a mixture of two gluten-specific enzymes that break down gluten in the stomach. A patient would take the therapy orally while maintaining a strict gluten-free diet. The intent of the therapy is to combat low levels of gluten that persist in the food chain, as well as in situations where ingestion of gluten is unavoidable due to cross contamination, such as at restaurants. The recent latiglutenase Phase 2b trial (CeliAction) conducted by Alvine and AbbVie unfortunately did not meet their primary goal of demonstrating clinically significant intestinal healing. The secondary goal of symptom reduction did show evidence of success in a subclass of celiac disease patients. ImmunogenX, following the acquisition of the Alvine assets, completed a post hoc data analysis from this trial. Statistically and clinically significant symptom improvement was shown for abdominal pain, bloating, tiredness, and constipation for patients who had persistent positive readings in key antibody levels (i.e., seropositive). These exciting results were highlighted at the Digestive Disease Week meeting in May 2017 and are now published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences. We will travel to India in September to present our research at ICDS 2017 (International Celiac Disease Symposium). If the primary endpoint of the CeliAction trial had been focused on reducing symptoms of gluten exposure, then that trial could rightfully have been called a success. Therefore, as a next step, ImmunogenX will be to go back into the clinic and reconfirm these positive results, demonstrating symptom improvement, in our next phase 2 trial. This will enable the company to transition to a pivotal trial for FDA registration. We attended another FDA Type C meeting in May 2017, which reinforced the continuing positive support from the agency regarding our symptom label, our Phase 2/3 trial strategy and our celiac disease symptom diary (CDSD) patient reported outcome (PRO) instrument. It is very gratifying to have such documented support from the FDA for our mission. Please visit our website www.immunogenx.com for updates on our progress and feel free to contact us with any questions (info@immunogenx.com).
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Celiac.com 06/17/2017 - Hello, my name is Gerry. I am a certified Medical Technologist currently working as a Clinical Systems Analyst. I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2006 by blood/biopsy. I have two wonderful children, 1 of whom has screened positive for a celiac gene pair. My strong background in Medical Technology assured a quick diagnosis once symptoms appeared. Since then, I have been living a strict gluten-free life. I have gone through nutritional counseling at Mayo Clinic and have an enhanced background with my understanding of the world of gluten. I use my experience and knowledge to accurately base my decisions on whether a product is safe for me. To prove my diet to be effective, I have had my TTG levels measured every 6 months since 2006—all were negative. Also, I have had 3 biopsies after beginning my gluten-free life and all were negative for villous atrophy. I do understand that my medical follow-ups do not prove that I am not ingesting small amounts of gluten; they simply indicate that I am not reacting. As for me, I view the gluten-free life to be much simpler and cheaper than it once was, and fear that strict gluten labeling guidelines have the potential to negatively shape the gluten-free life that I know and live today. Within the last few years, I have been receiving emails to ask my support regarding the FDA's gluten-free labeling rule. At first, I was a supporter as I wanted to support the celiac community since I was part of it. However, after I sat down and really thought about it, I am questioning the benefits of a strict gluten labeling act. In fact, I am predicting a negative impact if gluten labeling guidelines are too strict. When I started my gluten-free life in 2006, my grocery bill was atrocious. I was paying very high prices for the simplest of things. Tortilla chips $3.89 for a 6 oz bag. $3.99 for 8 oz of mustard. $5.99 for gluten-free mayonnaise. As the years moved on I noticed two changes that positively impacted my life as a celiac. The first is that many manufacturers have a list of their gluten-free products on their website along with explanations of how their company handles gluten. The second is the fact that many generic/in-store-brand companies are now labeling their products as "Gluten Free" or "Naturally Gluten free". Because of these two advancements, my life is so much easier and much more cost effective. This makes it easy to stick with my diet and keep my health safe and spirits up. Currently, if a product is made without gluten, it can be labeled as "gluten-free". Many products are available at a fraction of the cost and they are safe. Now that my family eats gluten-free, I have noticed that in today's world my grocery bill seems much more normal and realistic: gluten-free mustard $1.29; gluten-free mayonnaise $1.59;20 oz bags of tortilla chips labeled gluten-free $2.59; 8 oz bag of gluten-free cheese $1.99. You see, living a gluten-free life with today's rules is easy and I believe it to be safe if we are careful and make educated decisions. At this time we have many inexpensive non-brand/in-store brand name products that are widely available. I know of some stores that have 20+ pages of gluten-free items on an excel spreadsheet for their own brand of products, including medications. There are stores that update these lists quarterly, and most are listed by bar-code number. I can simply print the list and buy all of my products safely and inexpensively. I could easily make a phone call to clarify items that I may disagree with, or inquire about cross-contamination. Are these products that I speak of above tested for gluten? I don't believe so. Are these products free of gluten ingredients? I trust that they are. Is there cross-contamination? Maybe. It is easy for me to call and ask about their product lines. Are these products safe for me? I believe so, as I have the blood tests to prove they have been safe for me. Phone calls to companies on products that are not labeled as "gluten-free" are still the norm even though they are getting less frequent. As an expert, I am able to screen who I am talking to and the company's knowledge about gluten. I have been able to make accurate judgments on these products as well as deciding whether I believe them to be safe. In many of the cases, the company claimed their product to be free of gluten and I felt comfortable consuming the product. Yes, there were companies that didn't have acceptable knowledge/quality control and I didn't feel these products were safe so I didn't consume them. My first question to the celiac community is this. Do we need a strict gluten-free labeling act when we already have companies testing for gluten and providing safe products? If we want our products batch tested for gluten, we can simply purchase the ones that are currently available as there are many. If we want to know the threshold that the company considers as gluten-free, we can call them and they will tell us. Are there currently batch tested gluten-free products on the market? Absolutely. Many companies state on their packaging that they have been tested to under 20 or 40 ppm. If a company is testing, they make it known on the label and in the price of the product. My next question is what will a strict gluten-free labeling act do for us? I believe that it will ensure that a product is safe for celiac patients defining what a product needs to be in order to be labeled as gluten-free. Simple-yes. How do we suppose a company is going to know if their product is gluten-free? Well, if you ask me, it will NEED to be tested. Who will pay for this testing? I believe that the celiac community (the consumers) will be paying for this in higher food prices. If a company has to test a product to label it gluten-free, the price will need to go up in order to pay the cost of the testing and the quality control program for the company. We know this to be true as these products are already accessible. I see a possible negative impact of this labeling act if it were to be made too strict. I believe that manufacturers that do not test for gluten may need to pull their "gluten-free" labeling from the package. This could eliminate most of the inexpensive safe products that I currently purchase today. We know there are many manufacturers out there that label products as gluten-free as they simply do not use gluten ingredients. I believe these products may recede. I am not so sure a company will be able to label these products as gluten-free without first testing them. Even if they are allowed, I am not so sure they will take the risk. Therefore negatively impacting our pricing/availability. Will Gluten free lists on websites go away too? I believe these could fade or be at risk as well. If there is a law/act that dictates the amount of gluten in a product, I would think that a company would not create gluten-free lists of products without proving them to be gluten-free by some form of testing in an attempt to avoid legal action against them. What about our phone calls to companies asking if their products are gluten-free? Will they have a gluten-free list to review? I would tend to think that they may not be provided with a gluten-free list to reference. I have a hunch they may say, "We do not test any of our products for gluten and therefore are unable to tell you whether the product is gluten-free". I know that reply will complicate my life in many ways. The first thing that comes to my mind, in this regard, are the calls to pharmaceutical companies regarding medications. I feel that there are better ways to change the labeling as we know it that would offer a more positive effect on the celiac community. Maybe just changing the package labeling to force companies to list wheat, oats, rye, and barley on the packaging. How about requiring mandatory labeling of products that share lines with "gluten" containing ingredients? When we look at the big picture, I think it is safe to theorize that the impact of strict gluten labeling guidelines goes far beyond just providing safe products. In conclusion, I ask these questions. Will a strict gluten labeling act have the potential to negatively impact the celiac community by increasing prices and decreasing availability? And lastly, have we looked at the possible outcomes from all angles?
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Starbucks Looks to Add Better Gluten-free Options
Jefferson Adams posted an article in Additional Concerns
Celiac.com 09/27/2016 - After repeated shareholder requests, and a public admission from the CEO that the company had "really screwed up the gluten free stuff," Starbucks is announcing an expansion gluten-free and other specialty options. Until now, Starbucks has relied heavily on packaged foods to meet the rising demand for gluten-free food raises. As part of a new effort to change that, the company recently released its latest offering, the organic gluten-free, vegan, kosher chickpea puff called Hippeas, which is currently available in white cheddar and fajita flavors. Over the years, numerous shareholders have demanded that Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz add more food options for people who are either allergic to gluten or choose to eat gluten-free. At the 2015 shareholder meeting, Schultz said the company had plans to address the gluten-free issue because it represents a "big opportunity." He added that, to that point, the company had "really screwed up the gluten free stuff." Some gluten-free options are available regionally at various Starbucks, such as the Marshmallow Dream bar and the Kind Bars, but there has been little in the way of quality gluten-free options that are local, aritisanal, etc. "Items in our pastry case can be subject to cross contamination and we use shared equipment," Starbucks spokeswoman Erin Schaeffer said in an email response to questions. "So adding gluten-free options to our broader food portfolio has posed a challenge that we continue to explore." The market for packaged gluten-free foods is estimated at more than $3 billion and is continuing to grow. Last year, Starbucks launched the Retail Brand Partnership team, which is tasked with finding packaged goods that satisfy various dietary specialty needs. Read more in Bizjournals.com. -
Celiac.com 03/09/2012 - Subway stores in Oregon are in the process of rolling out gluten-free sandwich buns and gluten-free brownies as regular menu items statewide, according to Subway spokesperson Cathie Ericson. For millions of Americans who avoid gluten, due to celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, eating out can be a constant challenge. Having easy access to a safe, tasty, low-cost gluten-free sandwich is like the Holy Grail for some of those folks. For many, being able to grab a gluten-free Subway sandwich would be a major step toward vanquishing the challenges of eating gluten-free. Subway understands that being gluten-free "…really cuts down on fast-casual dining options, particularly sandwiches,” said Michele Shelley, Subway board member and owner. Many people were excited to read about Subway's early testing of gluten-free products in selected areas. Many were equally excited to hear about Subway's commitment to getting their gluten-free sandwich offerings right, from start to finish. For example, Subway’s wheat-free sandwich rolls and brownies are produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility and are individually packaged. Subway staffers are trained to prevent cross-contamination during the sandwich-making process. Moreover, a single employee will prepare a gluten-free sandwich order from start to finish. Other features to Subway's gluten-free process include single-use knives and eliminating contact between traditional sandwich rolls and other ingredients including meat, cheese and vegetables. Oregon is one of a handful of states where Subway first tested gluten-free products in selected areas. The current statewide roll out in Oregon comes after a successful test in Bend and Portland, Subway restaurants, and seems to signal Subway's desire to offer gluten-free menus to diners. “Subway is known for being a leader in healthy fare, and we are excited to embrace these gluten-free menu items for those who can benefit from them,” Shelley told reporters. Source: http://community.statesmanjournal.com/blogs/menumatters/2012/01/27/oregon-subways-add-gluten-free-menu-options/
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Celiac.com 01/25/2013 - Faced with calls to accommodate rising numbers of gluten-free parishioners, more Christian churches and are increasingly offering a gluten-free option for those rising numbers of gluten-free members who seek to take communion. A number of churches in the US and the UK have already taken measures to accommodate gluten-free members with gluten-free and low-gluten offerings. And while there is still a bit of wrangling in the Catholic church in the US about the acceptable gluten-content of communion wafers, it looks like more traditional Catholic and Anglican churches in Australia are now joining ranks in offering a gluten-free communion option for their parishioners. According to Mike Grieger, whose Australian Church Resources organization sells gluten-free and low-gluten altar bread to more than 2000 churches of different denominations, the trend is changing the way churches practice communion. Generally, for Protestants, offering gluten-free bread for communion seems to pose little, if any, religious difficulty, as the bread and the wine are regarded as mere symbols of the body and blood of Christ. Because Roman Catholics believe that the bread and wine, with the priest's blessing, actually become transformed into the savior's body and blood, the adoption of completely gluten-free offerings has caused issues. That is because church doctrine requires bread made from unleavened wheat, as they believe Jesus used at the Last Supper. To address the issue, nuns at the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, Missouri have created an extremely low-gluten wafer that is now being offered by numerous Catholic churches. It appears that official policy in the Catholic church can differ across geographic regions. For example, the Catholic Diocese of Columbus recently said that gluten-free wafers don’t meet Vatican standards because they don’t contain wheat, but that parishioners can still receive full communion by taking the wine. However, in Australia, Father Ken Howell, Catholic Dean of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Brisbane, says that gluten-sensitive parishioners could now bring their own gluten-free wafers. Meanwhile, more Protestant churches are moving to accommodate not just gluten-sensitivity, but other dietary sensitivities as well. One example is Ashgrove West Uniting Church in Brisbane, which began to offer their congregation bread that gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free and vegan friendly about a year and a half ago, according to church secretary Julie Hultgren. What to you think? Should churches accommodate their gluten-sensitive members with gluten-free communion options? Share your comments below. Meantime, stay tuned to hear the latest in gluten-free trends in communion.
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Celiac.com 06/13/2014 - As the number of students eating gluten-free continues to rise, colleges and universities are scrambling to keep up with an increasing demand for gluten-free options. The latest news comes from the University of Wisconsin, where the Net Nutrition program enables students with food allergies to more easily navigate the cafeteria. The program allows people to screen for allergens and food intolerance, and offers an easy way to subtract menu items a person cannot have, she said. UW’s dining halls have incorporated gluten-free items such as pizza, pasta, deserts and various baked goods, while Union South has also incorporated gluten-free options at its restaurants. The result has been a dramatic increase in the number of gluten-free UW student food options. Still, for best results, students need to get involved, says Barbara Kautz, faculty adviser for the Gluten-Free Badgers student organization. Katz calls student self-advocacy the most important factor in making gluten-free options available on campus. That means that interested UW students should call ahead if they plan to attend UW-hosted events that serve food. Once alerted, food services will be sure to provide a gluten-free option, Katz says. Kautz says she is pushing to have gluten-tolerance status included in the admission paperwork UW collects for each student.
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Lehigh University Touts New Gluten-free Dining Options
Jefferson Adams posted an article in Additional Concerns
Celiac.com 01/24/2014 - To create a gluten-free, allergen-free station in a dining hall that serves about 10,000 to 14,000 students each week, and offers a different daily menus for each meal, Lehigh University in Bethlehem went the distance. The result was Simple Servings. Lehigh's earlier dining hall offered gluten-free cereals, soups, pastas and breads via their Your Choice station. That original station has been incorporated into Simple Servings, and Lehigh students with gluten intolerance can now experience the same range of choices as their non-sensitive counterparts. Joseph Kornafel, Lehigh's executive chef, says that the school has really paid attention to details, from getting the right equipment when the station was being built, to maintaining a database of allergen-free recipes, Lehigh has also reached out to coaches and student-athletes to make sure they understand how the system works and to always get a clean plate before taking food from the station to avoid cross-contamination. Purple is the color adopted to designate allergen-free items in the food industry, and Lehigh uses purple to designate all gluten-free food preparation items, including utensils, carts and cutting boards. All gluten-free preparation equipment is dedicated, and never leaves that station to prevent cross-contamination. All chefs working that station are specially trained, and and all ingredients are clearly labeled for each dish. Source: Lehigh Valley Live -
Celiac.com 04/19/2013 - The University of Arizona (U of A) has announced plans to add an exclusive gluten-free space as part of their remodeling of the Student Unions' On Deck Deli. This makes U of A the latest university to offer more convenient and reliable gluten-free dining services to students with gluten-intolerance or celiac disease. Fueled in part by increased diagnosis and awareness of gluten-intolerance or celiac disease, and in part by the recent settlement of a lawsuit between L college and the Department of Justice, more and more colleges and universities are taking strong and rapid steps to provide reliable gluten-free food options for students who need them. U of A had already planned to remodel the deli in order to combat an outdated look and falling sales. As part of that process, the university decided to incorporate a strong gluten-free presence in the space, according to Todd Millay, marketing manager of Arizona Student Unions. “What drove it was the gluten-free and the grab and go. We’re responding to a couple of student patterns and we had the opportunity to integrate those at On Deck Deli," Millay said. Gluten-free and to-go food options were incorporated in the new design, as well as new signs, new food cases, better lighting and the elimination of order slips. Most of the renovation was in electrical work and cost a little more than $6,000, according to Millay. Millay said that the University wants gluten-free students to know that they now have a place designed with them in mind.
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Celiac.com 03/29/2013 - Parents of children with food allergies can take heart in recent developments at the federal level that are mandating changes in the ways colleges and universities address food-allergy issues in their students. A recent federal civil rights settlement between the Department of Justice and Lesley University that arose from Lesley's failure to provide gluten-free food shows that traditional one-style-fits-all dining options are no longer an option for our institutions of higher learning. The settlement requires Lesley to “continually provide” students with gluten-free dining options and pay $50,000 in damages to ensure the university is in compliance with a federal law that protects people with disabilities. As a result, more and more universities are scrambling to make safe food alternatives available to students with severe food allergies, including those with celiac disease, as required by the under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This adjustment includes gluten-free food offerings, and colleges and universities in Massachusetts are among the first to attempt the adjustment. Their approaches differ slightly, but the goal is to provide a safe, reliable dining experience to students with food allergies. The University of Massachusetts Boston and Boston University have created gluten-free zones in cafeterias and food courts, while others are taking a more individual approach. Tufts and Harvard University, for example, are having nutritionists and dining hall staff work with students to figure out what prepared foods can and cannot be eaten and ordering specialty items as necessary. Tufts' plan also includes establishing a dedicated freezer-refrigerator unit in its two dining halls that is stocked with gluten-free foods. The units are kept locked, and only students with special dietary needs are given keys UMass Amherst publishes dining hall menus online, and identifies gluten-free offerings with a special icon. The school also has an extensive handout on what foods to avoid and whom to contact if students need gluten-free food. About a year ago, UMass Boston created a gluten-free zone in its food court, with a dedicated refrigerator, microwave, and toaster to minimize the risk of contamination. Look for the trend to continue as more and more colleges deal with the new legal realities of feeding students who have food allergies. Sources: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/01/16/college-dining-halls-latest-challenge-gluten-free/ZGWMFABp0ruPI87L8BV8wM/story.html http://www.dailynebraskan.com/news/article_32cd62de-6908-11e2-951f-0019bb30f31a.html
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Celiac.com 06/11/2012 - For many religious individuals, eating sacramental bread at the altar to commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ is a cornerstone of religious practice. Until very recently, nearly every church version of the Eucharist, the holy consumption of bread and wine to honor the body and blood of Christ, featured standard bread or communion wafers that contained gluten. The problem for many with gluten intolerance or celiac disease, is that the only known treatment is to avoid foods containing gluten. That includes bread, pasta, cakes, pizza dough, lunch meat, beer, as well as the bread for the Eucharist. However, with celiac disease and gluten-intolerance on the rise, and with awareness of both of these condition also on the rise, many churches are moving to make accommodations for these people. Led by a few churches at the vanguard, more and more churches are making moves to accommodate the growing numbers of people with gluten-intolerance by offering gluten-free variations on the traditional loaf of bread or communion wafer. "It's another way we can welcome people to the table," said Glenn Catley, senior pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Salisbury, UK. The church's annual meeting has offered a gluten-free bread for years, he said. But it wasn't until about a year ago that the church began doing the same during its Communion. In addition to the wheat or pita bread available at most of the serving stations, parishioners may also opt for rice cakes. Dietary accommodation is something of a tradition in the Methodist church, Catley noted. Among Protestants, offering gluten-free bread for communion seems to pose little, if any, religious consternation, the bread and the wine merely represent the body and blood of Christ. To Roman Catholics, however, who believe that the bread and wine, with the priest's blessing, are actually transformed into the savior's body and blood, the adoption of completely gluten-free offerings has caused issues. That is because church doctrine requires bread made from unleavened wheat, as they believe Jesus used at the Last Supper. Even though church advocates downplay any controversy, and note that parishioners may still receive the full sacrament by drinking the wine, efforts are being made to provide a full sacrament to those with celiac disease or gluten-intolerance. To that end, nuns at the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, Missouri have created an extremely low-gluten wafer that is now being offered by numerous Catholic churches. Source: http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120331/LIFESTYLE/203310341/Area-churches-adopt-gluten-free-options-altar?odyssey=nav%7Chead
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Celiac.com 05/24/2012 - The old, cafeteria-style dining campus hall is fast becoming a thing of the past. Today’s students are bringing their more sophisticated palates and health-related concerns to campuses and schools are stepping up to accommodate them. Driven by these new consumer demands, and more creative management, more and more campus dining halls are beginning to resemble restaurants, featuring selections that reflect world cuisine and emerging food trends. Students are "becoming more sophisticated customers," says Joe Wojtowicz, general manager of Sodexo, Inc.'s Crossroads dining room at Concordia University Chicago in River Forest. These days, it's common for students to press staff about food options, especially questions about celiac disease, gluten-intolerance, food allergies and vegetarian preferences. More and more are moving to accommodate dietary restrictions like vegetarian, Kosher or halal, or putting gluten-free or lactose-free choices on their menus. From higher quality ingredients, such as free-range eggs, humanely raised meats, and fresh, locally produced produce, dining halls are increasingly offering more exotic options like Cuban, Chinese, or Thai dishes. “It’s not just spaghetti for Italian and tacos for Mexican,” said Rachel Warner, marketing director for the National Association of College and University Food Services. Many colleges are hiring restaurant chefs, dieticians and nutritionists to oversee the dining hall operations and some are even customizing meals to meet individual student needs or preferences. “I think that the shift in dining is really driven by the consumers. They come in with higher expectations and are increasingly savvy about the world around them and the different kinds of food,” says Warner. More and more, this higher level of student awareness and expectation is driving camp offerings. At DePaul University, students were asked to vote on whether a particular brand of hummus was suitable at their school. At Northwestern University, students recently enjoyed a “cruise night” offering food of the tropics. At Loyola University Chicago, students drink hormone-free milk. Students at Northewestern University can choose from numerous kosher options. One university in Texas offers a vegan dining hall and a Colorado school has a station dedicated to Persian cuisine. According to Warner, “Students are coming in and they do want to have a little bit more say and more options.” These dining hall improvements are yielding benefits not just to students, but to their communities. In 2011, Wheaton College was ranked by the Princeton Review as having the best campus food in America. The dining services are run by Bon Appetit management company. Raul Delgado, general manager of Wheaton College’s dining services, says “When you look at this, the farthest thing from your mind is a cafeteria…This is a restaurant. And like any restaurant, it’s open to the general public. Esther Howerzyl, 68, who biked to Wheaton from St. Charles with a group of friends, says the food is "very organic health food and I like all the seeds, the variety of seeds.” Do you have experience with these evolving campus dining trends, especially as they relate to gluten-free options? If so, please comment below. Also read a related article: Schools Offering Better Food Options for Students with Celiac Disease, Other Food Concerns.
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Celiac.com 01/25/2012 - Perhaps due to a combination of public information efforts and higher diagnosis rates, but awareness of celiac disease, gluten-free and other food sensitivities is slowly spreading to schools across the nation. This reality, coupled with general student interest in a greater variety of healthier food options is driving a change in both vocabulary and offerings at campuses around the country. Go to many schools today, and you may hear terms like 'gluten-free,' 'celiac-friendly,' or 'allergen-free' thrown around liberally with more common standbys like 'kosher,' 'organic,' 'vegetarian,' and 'vegan.' Students are "becoming more sophisticated customers," says Joe Wojtowicz, general manager of Sodexo, Inc.'s Crossroads dining room at Concordia University Chicago in River Forest. These days, it's common for staff to field questions about food options before students even arrive on campus, especially questions about celiac disease, gluten-intolerance, food allergies and vegetarian preferences. For these students, access to accurate nutritional information is all the more important given their need to avoid foods that trigger allergies, Wojtowicz says. "All our menus are on the Web, and they click through an item to learn the nutritional content," he adds. "And we make sure we label our offerings if they contain nuts." These benefits extend to students with celiac disease and gluten intolerance, as well. Overall, more students are requesting foods that are more nutritious and healthful than in the past, says Travis Orman, senior director of dining services with Chartwells Educational Dining Services at Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, which serves up to 3,200 meals a day. Students are also demanding more options. That means a change in even the most basic offerings. For example, many colleges are finding that students enjoy ethnic specialities. Orman says authentic Mexican is a favorite on his campus. "We honed in on the authentic cuisine and developed 8 to 10 options where the flavors just burst in your mouth. We launched Serranos Mexican Grill in September, and it's been very well received." Offerings include a burrito bowl taco, taco salad and barbacoa, a beef slow braised in garlic, lime, chiles and spices, then shredded, Orman says. Many college students prefer meat-free options, says Wojtowicz, so Crossroads always offers at least two to four vegetarian menu options, including cheese pizzas, grilled cheese sandwiches and cheese quesadillas. Other items, such as grilled Provencal vegetable sandwich or black bean and cheese quesadilla also appear. At CUC, Wojtowicz has responded to a growing interest in Mediterranean dishes with items like paella, spanakopita, Spanish tapas and other regional favorites. Some schools are taking food offerings to the next level by serving vegetables grown in local community gardens. North Central College in Naperville is among schools that has turned to harvesting a community garden to supply a portion of the produce for its dining operation. The North Central College Community Garden is now in its second year, and benefits from the efforts of nearby residents, who tend their own plots of land. Because of that support, those gardens "produce some of the fresh vegetables and fruits used in the college's salad bar and deli bar," says director of residence life Kevin McCarthy. The school then labels those items at the dining hall so that students know they are choosing sustainable options grown at the Community Garden. Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/special/educationtoday/chi-edtoday-dining-110311,0,7648384.story
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Celiac.com 04/01/2011 - Cephalon has signed an agreement that gives the company the option to purchase a potentially promising new treatment for celiac disease from Alba Therapeutics. The deal calls for Cephalon to pay Alba a $7 million upfront fee, and to offering funding support for a phase IIb trial of the drug in question, a tight junction modulator known as larazotide acetate. The deal allows Cephalon to acquire all assets relating to the treatment for an additional payment of $15 million, within specified time window, once trial data have been published Cephalon CEO, Kevin Buchi, said the company's interest is based on encouraging trial data for the drug thus far. If larazotide acetate proves to be effective against celiac disease, it "has the potential to be the first pharmacologic therapy available to treat patients who endure this often serious condition," Buchi said. Source: Zenopa.com
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Celiac.com 10/26/2009 - With the ever-increasing awareness of celiac disease comes an expanding market of gluten-free options. The days of lengthy supermarket trips spent pouring over labels has given way to the tiny oasis of the “gluten-free” section is many grocery stores. While this section is still limited in many respects, the food production industry as a whole has become aware of the need to cater to the expanding gluten-free community. Gluten-free snacks, prepackaged meals, and baking supplies are no longer elusive, and the variety is continually expanding. While rice, potato, and corn flours are common strongholds in a Celiac’s kitchen, there is now a new wave of flavorful flours from Peru making their way into the United States. Many Peruvian heritage grains, dating back to pre-Incan times, have been found to be naturally gluten-free and incredibly nutritious. The first wave of these grains and flours to hit the U.S. market come to us from Zocalo Gourmet. Marching to shelves are kaniwa, mesquite, purple corn, and sweet potato flours. Each has a distinct flavor and “personality” that is sure to delight any gluten-free baker and reinvigorate their favorite recipes. Kaniwa is a species of goosefoot, closely related to quinoa. This tiny grain is packed with protein and has an Earthy taste that lends itself well to breads, pancakes, and muffins. Mesquite is also protein rich and imparts a warm, sweet, slightly smoky taste on foods while enhancing the flavors of cinnamon, chocolate, caramel, and coffee. Adding mesquite flour to your favorite recipes will transform their flavor and put a completely new spin on your old favorites. Purple Corn can be used in any recipe calling for traditional corn meal or flour while providing an antioxidant boost. Although similar in nutrition to yellow corn, purple corn contains substantial amounts of phenolics and anthocyanins, among other phytochemicals, which gives the corn its vibrant color. Its main colorant is cianidin-3-b-glucosa which is a known antioxidant. The high anthocianin content does not degrade with heat exposure. Sweet Potato is a velvety flour that holds moisture well, imparts a subtle sweetness on baked goods, and is incredibly versatile. With these flours come more complete flavor and nutritional profiles for the gluten intolerant. To learn more about these flours and how they can be used check out: http://www.zocalogourmet.com/products/floursgrains2.html and http://zocalogourmet.blogspot.com/
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