Source: European Parliament
The Gluten Free Regulation[1] sets harmonised requirements for the labelling of foods as ‘gluten-free’ or ‘very-low gluten’.
It applies to both prepacked and non-prepacked foods, such as those served in restaurants. These rules are based on scientific data and aim to prevent misleading and confusing the consumers from divergent food information.
In line with Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Commission complements national policies by providing support in reaching health policy objectives, through the framework initiative ‘Healthier Together’[2], which addresses non-communicable diseases.
The Expert Group on Public Health[3], composed of national experts, assists and advises the Commission, including on the preparation of policy and legislative initiatives and activities addressing major public health challenges. It also organises exchange of best practices[4], such as on effective actions to support coeliac patients.
The Commission continues to support the Member States through policy coordination and funding to encourage actions at national level on the management of conditions like coeliac disease.
The implementation of measures on healthcare delivery and financial support to improve the access to specific foods for coeliac patients rests with the national authorities.
Finally, under the Horizon programmes, several projects[5] have been funded to address gluten in food and personalised nutrition for individuals suffering from coeliac disease. Based on the results, new challenges could be addressed to identify possible gaps in research and innovation.
- [1] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, OJ L 228, 31.7.2014, p. 5.
- [2] Healthier together — EU non-communicable diseases initiative: https://health.ec.europa.eu/non-communicable-diseases/healthier-together-eu-non-communicable-diseases-initiative_en.
- [3] Expert Group on Public Health: https://health.ec.europa.eu/non-communicable-diseases/expert-group-public-health_en#:~:text=The%20Expert%20Group%20on%20Public%20Health%20advises%20and,communicable%20diseases%20%28such%20as%20HIV%2FAIDS%2C%20tuberculosis%20and%20hepatitis%29.
- [4] Best practices Portal: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/dyna/bp-portal/.
- [5] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/816303; https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/752438; https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/190104468.