Coeliac UK is involved in an exciting new project aimed at developing an on-the-spot test for coeliac disease for use in doctors' surgeries and, potentially, for direct sale to the public through pharmacies. This new test will not only test for the antibodies signalling coeliac disease, but also uniquely, look for the genes associated with the condition.  A €12 million grant application has been successfully made to the European Union to support the work and detailed contract negotiations are already underway.  This ground breaking project involves a broad collaboration of biotechnology companies, university departments and the European Association of Coeliac Societies.  Coeliac UK will be one of the core workstream leaders reponsible for internationally promoting the project to all those with an interest.

Coeliac UK's AGM, which took place on Saturday 7th July, proved to be a huge success with members who attended the day at The University of Sheffield. The event provided those who attended the opportunity to have a one-to-one session with one of our dietitians, ask questions of the Coeliac UK Governors, find out the latest information on what's happening with regard to campaigning and visit our mini food fair.  Our keynote speaker, Gordon Banks MP Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group on coeliac disease and DH, gave the Elizabeth Segall lecture which was well received by all.

The AGM itself went smoothly with a huge show of support being given from the membership for the work that the Charity is currently undertaking to help improve the lives of people with coeliac disease.  Members voted overwhelmingly to re-elect Rosemary Hoyle, Chair of the Board of Governors, for a further three year term as a governor.  Sarah Mitson was also elected by an overwhelming margin to her first three year term as a governor.

At our recent AGM, Rosemary Hoyle, Chair of the board of governors, outlined the Charity's plans, following extensive consultation, to put the issue of introducing a membership fee for Coeliac UK to a vote of its current members.

This follows the huge rise in the membership of the organisation and the continued decline in the percentage of members donating to the Charity, as outlined in the last edition of Crossed Grain magazine. The introduction of a fee structure will help provide the Charity with a far more secure income base and safeguard its future.

It was made clear that the level of fee would be set to make sure that it was inclusive for all. Full details of the potential fees and the available types of membership will be covered in the next edition of eXG and in the autumn edition of Crossed Grain magazine.

All current members will receive the opportunity to vote on the introduction of a membership fee either at a special members meeting in London on Saturday 10th November, or by using the postal ballot paper that will be sent out with the autumn edition of Crossed Grain.

If you have comments, questions or concerns on this matter then please contact holly.ellicott@coeliac.org.uk

On 17th July the Daily Mirror 'Your Life' Health section carried a feature across two full pages entitled 'Gut Reaction' which focused on coeliac disease.

Drawing heavily on an interview with Coeliac UK Head of Diet & Health Norma McGough, the Mirror explained what coeliac disease is, how to get tested and possible treatments. It also looked at symptoms and practical advice on gluten-free eating.

With a circulation over one and a half million readers, the Daily Mirror provided a marvellous opportunity to get our message out and find more people who are the 1 in 100 that have coeliac disease.  

Coeliac UK as a stakeholder to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is providing comments regarding the consultation, which closes on the 3rd of August, on the coordination of the European Commission on the Gluten-free Codex standard. The outcome of which will feed back into the Commission's Dietetic Foods Expert Working Group.  The next step will be that the Commission will redraft the revised codex standard for gluten-free foods.

Coeliac UK is also responding, by 22nd August, to the FSA 'Food Competency Framework' consultation looking at proposals to establish a consensus view on the minimum food skills and knowledge that young people should possess, understand and be able to apply by the ages of 7-9, 11-12, 15 and 16 +.

For more information on FSA consultations, please see  www.food.gov.uk

Gluten-free Passport are currently carrying out a global survey of experiences when eating out with a view to providing information to companies in order to provide better provision for people with coeliac disease and those with specialist dietary requirements and food allergies.

This is an unprecedented global research study - Understanding Gluten and Allergen-Free Experiences of Guests & Hospitality Worldwide. If you would like to participate please visit the following link to share your experiences.

http://www.glutenfreepassport.com/customersurvey.html

The Houses of Parliament rose last week for the Summer Recess and will not return until early October. Following a letter from Gordon Banks MP to all the signatories of our two previous EDMs asking them to add their names to this one, the number of MPs who have signed our latest Early Day Motion (No 1449) on the 'Early Diagnosis of Coeliac Disease' has risen from 112 to 135 MPs at the close of the Session.

During the Summer Recess we will work with Gordon Banks MP to send out a campaigning note to all members of the All Party Group highlighting some of the activities that the Group has undertaken on behalf of coeliacs in the past year - on prescriptions, access to the Armed Forces and the Disability Discrimination Act - and what it might be able to achieve in the next session of Parliament.

During the summer we will also be working with interested MSPs in the Scottish Parliament who are setting up a Cross Party Group on Coeliac Disease. The Parliament has now risen for the summer but will make a formal application for registration of the Group in September.  

Following our successful 'Are you 1 in 100?' awareness campaigns to raise awareness of coeliac disease and promote the importance of early diagnosis, we are now moving ahead with our campaign to argue for better gluten-free food in hospitals and care homes.

We are currently compiling information and establishing contacts with hospital caterers and establishing links with other useful bodies such as the Better Hospital Food Campaign. We will also be writing to the House of Commons Select Committee of Health to urge it to undertake an Inquiry into the state of hospital foods. As well as our lobbying activity we will be developing gluten-free information packs for hospital dietitians and a special pack for members to take with them into hospital, including information hand-outs for dietitians and ward staff.

Coeliac disease (CD) was previously believed to be a condition almost exclusively affecting people from European origin. This review looks at the current available research on the prevalence of CD on a global level.

The researchers discuss the findings of many studies and conclude that CD is common worldwide, not just in Europe, but also in developing countries including Southern Asia, the Middle East, North West and East Africa and South America.

Consequently CD should be considered a worldwide public health problem involving all ethnic groups. Awareness among physicians needs to improve in order to be able to recognise the wide range of symptoms of CD. Specific and sensitive antibody tests used in the diagnostic pathway are a useful screening tool in identifying possible cases. 

The increasing number of people diagnosed with CD is believed to be related to both genetic and environmental factors, such weaning practices and gluten consumption.  The researchers point out that following a gluten-free diet may pose a challenge in these developing countries due to lack of availability of commercial gluten-free products.

Cataldo, F and Montalto, G. (2007) 'Celiac Disease in the Developing Countries: A new and challenging public health problem.' World Journal of Gastroenterology, 13(15), 2153-59.

Thank you to everyone who has generously supported us by sending in their old mobile phones and ink cartridges. As we hope to increase the efficiency in our recycling program, we would like to bring it to your attention that we have changed with the company we are working with. To order your new bags please ring us directly on 01494 796132 or click here.

This event sees tasty gluten-free fish and chips being served up on Saturday 1st September.  Organised by Susan Ord of Land and Sea Fish and Chip Shop in conjunction with The Forth Valley Group, opening times are from 10.30am to 3pm and the event takes place at Greenpark Centre, Polmont.  Entry is £1.00 and includes free entry into the raffle.  The Chip Shop will be serving from 11.30am to 3pm on the day.   Go to www.glu2go.co.uk for directions.

Here is just a sample of what is going on over the next month or so, however, there is so much more happening in and around your area. To find out dates, times, details and other events please click here.

11 August 2007 Hereford Group 
Join us in a coffee morning between 9am and 11am at Waitrose Merthyr Road, Llanfoist, Abergavenny, Gwent.

12 August 2007 Colchester Group
Gluten-free summer afternoon tea.

19 August 2007 Dorchester Group
Popular fund-raising bric-a-brac stall on the Weymouth seafront near the Tourist Information Office.

19 August 2007 South Surrey Group
Try out gluten-free vegetarian food at this riverside restaurant at 64 High Street, Kingston-upon-Thames, starting at 6.30pm. 

25 August 2007 North West Ireland Group
Get involved with a bus trip to Donegal, leaving from the MDEU at Altnagelvin Hospital at 9am.

1 September 2007 Liverpool Group
Coach Trip to Betwsy-y-coed and a gluten-free meal in a restaurant . This was billed as 7th July but has been moved to 1st Sept. Cost is £22 per head.

1 September 2007 Cambridge Group
Come for a talk with a nutritionist at Sainsbury's about their new range of gluten-free products at Buchan Street Community Centre at 2pm.  Free samples available.

Juvela are delighted to be sponsoring Coeliac UK's 'What's on' section on eXG for 2007. To find out more information on what's on in your area click here! 

To keep up to date with Juvela's whereabouts click here.

Gammon and Pineapple Pasta Stir Fry

In brief...

Cooking time 15 minutes
Preparation time 5 minutes
Makes 4

Ingredients...

• 300g/11oz Glutafin Pasta Spirals cooked following packet instructions, rinsed in cold water and drained
• 15ml/1 tbsp light mild olive oil
• 225g/8oz gammon steak, lean and smoked cut into matchstick size strips
• 6 spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped
• 110g/4oz mange tout, trimmed
• 110g/4oz button mushrooms, sliced
• 430g/15oz canned pineapple in natural juice cut into 2.5cm/1" slices, juice reserved
• 5ml/1 tsp Dijon mustard*
• Fresh parsley chopped

*Check your Coeliac UK Food and Drink Directory for suitable brands

Method:

1. Stir-fry the prepared gammon in the oil for 5 minutes in a large frying pan or wok.
2. Add the prepared vegetables and continue to stir-fry for a further 5 minutes.
3. Combine reserved pineapple juice and Dijon mustard together and add to the pan along with the pineapple and cooked pasta. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Stir gently to prevent pasta from breaking up.
4. Serve stir-fry sprinkled with the fresh chopped parsley and accompany with a warm, crusty Glutafin Part-Baked Roll.

We have adapted this recipe by:

1. Reducing the overall fat used by using a mono-unsaturated oil which is thought to be better for the heart than a saturated fat.
2. Increasing the carbohydrate and fibre portion of the meal by including a selection of vegetables and pasta.
3. Omitting salt. The gammon will have some natural salt which will be sufficient for flavouring the meal.
4. Selecting pineapple in natural juice rather than syrup which would add sugar and calories to the dish.
   

Thank you to Glutafin for sponsoring this recipe. You can go to their website and view more here.

Let us know what you think of the recipe by calling the Glutafin Careline on 0845 603 9895.

Give in to a tempting Italian!

Our gluten-free pasta is both delicious to eat and fast to make. And with 2,000 samples of Glutafin Macaroni Penne Pasta to give away, you could try some for free. Why not use it to rustle up a bowl of Penne Pasta with Roasted Vegetable Sauce (pictured)? It tastes even better than it looks! Whether you're into slurpy spaghetti or sauce-filling shells, we've got the perfect pasta for you to add to your prescription. Click now to pick up your free pasta  or call our Careline on 0845 603 9895.

Trufree are delighted to announce the launch of their brand new Mini O's and Pretzels.  Available in Tesco's from the 20th of August these tasty snacks come in handy sized packs, perfect for lunchboxes or to snack on the go. 

To sign up to our e-newsletter for the latest information on new products please visit our website.  
 

ENJOY A GLUTEN-FREE HOLIDAY at LA BELLE DEMEURE
Featured in Irish Coeliac News
Delicious food
Excellent service
Lovely location in SW France
www.glutenfreeinfrance.com Tel 0870 7605042 or 0033545326849.

Rizopia Gluten Free Organic Brown Pasta is now available in Lasagne and Fantasia shapes (Children's Pasta)
It is full of all the goodness of whole grain organic brown rice; it is healthy, natural and easy to digest.
Available from Health Food Shops.
For more information please visit PGR Health Foods at www.pgrhealthfoods.co.uk

With over 650 products in our range including the brands Brookfarm, Innofoods, Il Pane di Anna and Novaldo, GFF Direct is a supermarket for Coeliacs! Our full range can be viewed at www.gffdirect.co.uk or at our very own shop in North Yorkshire. Please call 01757 289200 for further details or a mail order catalogue.

Allergen free food - full of flavour!  Fed up with inferior supermarket 'free-from' products?  Come to Johnson's - run and staffed by coeliacs - understand your needs the best.

www.johnsonsprovisions.co.uk, visit our shop near Brighton or call 0800 688 8969

Gluten & Wheat-free Fish & Chips, Onion Rings, Chicken Goujons, Fritters and much more... Authentic, crispy, golden, delicious and easy to use batter mix. Enjoy all your favourites with Glu-2-Go.  Visit our website or contact us on 01324 717273.

www.glu2go.co.uk