Spelt bread recipe in Sainsbury's magazine

The November issue of Sainsbury’s Magazine included a recipe for spelt bread which unfortunately was inaccurate. We have written to them and are currently in discussion about follow up coverage regarding gluten-free food and will keep you posted.

The letter in it's entirety is below:

12 November 2007

Dear Sarah

The November issue of Sainsbury's Magazine included a recipe for Spelt Bread on page 54 of the magazine, which stated in the introduction that "….Even though it (spelt) is high in gluten it can be tolerated by some gluten-intolerant individuals."

However, far from being tolerated spelt is actually dangerous for the gluten-intolerant. 
 
People suffering with gluten-intolerance are synonymous with from coeliac disease, an auto-immune condition, and the only treatment is a life-long avoidance of gluten in their diet.  Repeated exposure to gluten may lead to malnutrition, osteoporosis, and bowel cancer. For many people with coeliac disease, ingesting even the smallest amount of gluten can cause them to become unwell.
 
Spelt is not gluten-free or wheat-free, it is an ancient form of wheat.  The food labelling regulations actually state that spelt contains gluten.  It has also been tested and found to contain toxic levels of gluten.  Spelt is therefore definitely not suitable for people on a gluten-free diet.
 
We would be grateful if a clarification could be printed in a forthcoming issue of the magazine since the information provided may lead to harm for those unaware of the potential toxicity of spelt.
 
Yours
 
 

Sarah Sleet
Chief Executive
Coeliac UK is the national charity representing 80,000 people with coeliac disease.