GLUTEN FREE awareness magazine March 2019

Although raising the profile of coeliac disease is a year round activity, our annual Coeliac Awareness Week (13−20 March), provides an opportunity to focus on the key issues affecting our community. Coeliac Australia’s 2019 Treat Gluten Seriously campaign highlights eating out as the most difficult challenge for Australians with coeliac disease and others dependent on a gluten free diet. The campaign targets the food service industry – chefs, cooks, food handlers and managers working in all kinds of businesses, including cafés, restaurants, catering and healthcare providers. The campaign was developed after research found potentially harmful levels of gluten in foods served as ‘gluten free,’ and results of a Coeliac Australia eating out survey of almost 2,500 people with coeliac disease gave insight into issues faced by gluten free diners. The survey revealed that eating out is a concern for many; with nearly 90% of participants admitting they felt anxious about eating out and worried about illness due to potential gluten exposure. Coeliac Australia promotes the resources that we have developed to help food businesses prepare gluten free meals that are genuinely gluten free. Also, activities and events organised with our supporters highlight the key issues around eating out gluten free. We have recruited our membership around Australia to deliver campaign cards to local food businesses to get the word out! The We Mean Business cards promote Coeliac Australia’s food service resources and could reach thousands of businesses nationally. So how can you help? I encourage you to support our #treatglutenseriously campaign! Together we can raise awareness and improve eating out experiences for thousands of Australians who depend on a gluten free diet. Find more details at www.coeliac.org.au/caw Sally / Communications Manager Food Businesses benefit if they #treatglutenseriously! As part of our Treat Gluten Seriously campaign our members and affiliates around Australia have been provided with 10 business cards (pictured) to deliver to local food businesses. The cards promote the high demand for genuine gluten free food options, the loyalty of gluten free customers and Coeliac Australia’s food service resources. The cards send a positive message to food businesses about the benefits of our gluten free online training and accreditation programs. If you own a food business, or know someone that does - let them know Coeliac Australia can show them how to #treatglutenseriously! 99% of gluten free customers are likely to return after a good dining experience Are you missing out on business? Austral ians ea t glute n free* Find ou t how www.c you ca oeliac. n attra org.a  caf oodse *2016 CSIRO ct this rvic u/foo don’t ea t out al one, they ar e joine d by family and fri ends^ loyal m ar dserv ket! ice e@coe liac.or Health y Diet g.au Score  1300 statistic s ^ 201 458 83 8/9 Co 6 eliac Aus tralia surv ey Our catering cards promote the same valuable resources and can be ordered online. Coeliac Awareness Week Poster Thousands of Australians with coeliac disease want to eat out more often. Our campaign poster highlights the gluten free diet is the only treatment for coeliac disease and is available to download from our website.

GLUTEN FREE awareness magazine March 2019 | Page 10