Coeliac UK, the national charity for people with coeliac disease, says the catering industry is missing out on an estimated £100 million a year by not catering for people with coeliac disease.
Coeliac UK will run a half day training course, accredited by The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland, for the local catering industry across Perthshire on Thursday 27 November 2014 to advise on the safe preparation of gluten-free dishes. It is being hosted by The Real Food Café, which has recently gained full gluten-free (GF) accreditation from Coeliac UK and will be held from 10am to 3pm at Tyndrum Village Hall, Perthshire.
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten which affects 1 in 100 people in the UK. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. There is no cure and no medication and the only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet for life.
Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive of Coeliac UK, explained: “Research shows people with coeliac disease - and the family and friends they eat out with - are worth a potential £100 million a year to venues that can cater for them. While our main aim is give our Members more confidence in eating out, we want to highlight that businesses can benefit from tapping into the lucrative gluten-free market.”
“Venues that can cater gluten-free will not only attract locals and visitors to the region who have coeliac disease and require a strict gluten-free meal, but also those who follow a gluten-free diet for general health reasons. Our courses, held in other parts of the country, have also proved very popular with the public sector and those involved in catering for schools, universities, hospitals and care homes.”
The course is suitable for all food industry professionals including the private and public sector across the region and will look at the challenges faced by people with coeliac disease, the legal requirements associated with gluten-free labelling and how to cater for this growing need. It will also provide attendees with the knowledge and confidence to deliver a wide range of tasty, safe gluten-free food, within the boundaries of the law.
Download the course booking form from: www.coeliac.org.uk/courses or contact Zoe Bishop on 01494 796727. Places cost £99 (+VAT)
