Who Are We and What Do We Do?

The Coeliac Society of Australia Inc was formed to provide a forum to promote the national welfare and uniformity of purpose and objectives of the state coeliac societies throughout Australia.

The Coeliac Society of Australia Inc provides a framework for state Societies to work together, share resources and fulfil this vision. The only members of the Australian Society are each state Society.

What do the State Coeliac Societies do?

The state Societies provide information and support to those diagnosed with coeliac disease and their families, sufferers of dermatitis herpetiformis and those medically diagnosed as requiring a gluten free diet.

Through membership of your state Coeliac Society, information is available about the gluten free diet, ingredients, where to buy gluten free food, recipes and cooking, eating out, overseas travel and research. Activities such as information seminars, cooking demonstrations, shopping tours, gluten free food expos and children’s events may be held. In various areas, volunteer contact people provide a local support network for members in their region.

The combined membership of the state Societies stands at over 22,000.

Food Standards and Labelling

The Coeliac Society has representation on both government and industry committees relating to the gluten free standard and allergen labelling. The standard for claims in relation to gluten labelling is –
• Foods labelled as gluten free must contain no detectable gluten and no oats or malted gluten-containing cereals or their products.
• Foods labelled as low gluten must contain less than 200 parts per million of gluten (low gluten foods are rarely seen in Australia and are not recommended for those on a gluten free diet).

The mandatory labelling food standard makes it compulsory for certain allergenic substances and their products to always be declared on food labels with no lower limit. This means that along with other common allergens, the source of any ingredient derived from a gluten-containing grain will always be declared on food packaging.

Food Industry Guide to Allergen Management
and Labelling

The Coeliac Society is pleased to work with manufacturers and peak representative groups on issues of mutual interest.

A Food Industry Guide to Allergen Management and Labelling has been developed and updated by the Australian Food and Grocery Council with input from The Coeliac Society. It covers allergen management, training and supervision, raw material processing, cleaning of premises, manufacturing and labelling.

Pharmaceuticals

The standard for gluten labelling of pharmaceuticals is in line with food labelling. A ‘gluten free’ claim, therefore, means no detectable gluten and the source of any ingredient derived from a gluten-containing grain will always be declared. Again the Society has had representation in this process. Further information on ingredients in prescription medications is included in the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) available from pharmacies.

Medical, Dietary and Other Professionals

The Coeliac Society has a panel of professionals working with the Society for the exchange of information and to allow the Society to keep up to date with any changes and research.