FAQs for producers

I'm thinking of setting up a business making gluten-free products, how can you help?

How can Coeliac UK help promote my product?

How can I find a distributor for my gluten-free products?

How can I use the Crossed Grain symbol?

Is coeliac disease the same as an allergy to wheat?

Can I use spelt wheat in my products?

Can I use oats in my products?

What about ingredients that may be derived from wheat and barley?

How should malt extract be labelled?

Is soy sauce gluten-free?

How can I get my products tested for gluten?

How do I get my gluten-free products listed for prescriptions?

I'm thinking of setting up a business making gluten-free products, how can you help?

Coeliac UK can help by providing you with up-to-date information on the gluten-free market and refer you to appropriate agencies for advice on legislation and labelling, quality control and gluten-testing.  We produce a range of resources for people on a gluten-free diet and these are useful when you come to promoting your business to the gluten-free community. Check out the links on the top bar to find out more.

How can Coeliac UK help promote my product?

With a membership of around 80,000 we will give you access to the majority of the diagnosed coeliac community - through our print and electronic media and face to face at Food Fairs around the country.

How can I find a distributor for my gluten-free products?

There are numerous information  sources which you can access for further information about potential distribution channels, both online and in print.  Try The Grocer or Checkout Magazine.  Also, some of the major trade shows in the UK can be a useful source of information and contacts.

How can I use the Crossed Grain symbol?

The Crossed Grain Symbol is known globally as a symbol of gluten-free food.  As owners of the trademark in the UK and the European Community, we licence the symbol to manufacturers, distributors and retailers to use on their gluten-free products and promotional material.  We also help you to promote your products to consumers.  Find out more here.

Is coeliac disease the same as an allergy to wheat?

Coeliac disease is not an allergy or simple food intolerance. It is an auto-immune disease, which means that the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissues.  For people with coeliac disease this attack is triggered by gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.  Some people with coeliac disease are also sensitive to oats.  Our section on gluten-free living is worth reading to find out more about life on a gluten-free diet and there's more information on coeliac disease itself on our main site.

Where can I find out more about allergen labelling?

New regulations on the labelling of allergens in packaged foods came into force in November 2005.  Manufacturers now have to list ALL deliberate ingredients in food products.  They also have to identify any allergenic ingredients present, including any gluten-containing ingredients.  The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has produced detailed guidance on the new regulations, click here to access the FSA website.

Can I use spelt in my products?

Spelt is an ancient strain of wheat and research indicates that it is toxic to people with coeliac disease.  Spelt is not suitable for a gluten-free diet.

Can I use oats in my products?

The role of oats in a gluten free diet remains an area of debate.  The gluten-like proteins found in oats used to be considered toxic like the proteins found in wheat, rye and barley.  Although most people with coeliac disease can tolerate pure oats some coeliacs may still be sensitive to them.  In addition, most oat products are contaminated with wheat and/or barley.

What about ingredients that may be derived from wheat and barley?

Some ingredients can be derived from wheat or barley but are safe for people with coeliac disease.  This is because they are highly processed and the gluten content is negligible e.g. glucose syrups.  Some ingredients may have a low level of gluten but still be within the Codex standard e.g. Codex wheat starch.  Click here for our ingredients' checklist

How should malt extract be labelled?

Malt extract or flavouring is a common ingredient which can be made from barley and contains low levels of gluten.  It must be labelled in line with the allergen labelling guidance (2003/89/EC) as 'contains barley'. Malt extract can also be made from maize or rice in which case it does not contain gluten.

Is soy sauce gluten-free?

Soy sauce is not gluten-free as it contains wheat and therefore has to be labelled as such.  Some tamari sauces (Japanese soy sauce) may be suitable for a gluten-free diet.

How do I get my products into the Food and Drink Directory?

If your products meet our criteria, they can be listed in our Food and Drink Directory.  The directory lists over 11,000 gluten-free retail food and drink products available throughout the UK.  Inclusion in the directory is free of charge.  The directory is printed annually and updates are provided to members on a monthly basis.  These not only include deleted items which are no longer gluten-free, but also additional products which are new on the market.  Please email us at fdd@coeliac.org.uk for the correspondence detailing how to submit your products.  You can also buy a copy of this years Food and Drink Directory from our shop.

How can I get my products tested for gluten?

A number of companies provide gluten-testing products and services in the UK.  Click here for more information.

How do I get my gluten-free products listed for prescriptions?

Foods are approved for prescribing by the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS).  The ACBS (Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances) is a non-departmental public body, owned by the Department of Health.  Its job is to recommend to GPs the circumstances under which GPs could prescribe products which are not drugs and not medical devices to patients at NHS expense.

If your company wants a product to be prescribed by GPs in the UK, it must be approved by the ACBS Committee. The products do not need ACBS approval to be sold in the UK, but they cannot be prescribed by a GP without ACBS approval.

You can find further information on the NICE website.  If you have any enquiries relating to the ACBS process please write to Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances, The National Institute for Clinical Excellence, Mid City Place, 71 High Holburn, London, MC1V 6NA or alternatively you can email them at acbs@nice.org.uk