Latest News from Gluten Free Ireland – January / February 2026

Is your Tableware Safe??

​AOECS publishes position statement on food contact materials and coeliac safety ​

The Association of European Coeliac Societies (AOECS) has published a new position statement addressing potential risks for people with coeliac disease linked to certain bio-based food contact materials (FCMs). The position statement calls for greater transparency and regulatory clarity to ensure that people with coeliac disease can make informed and safe choices.

Gluten migration has been documented in studies.

As part of the transition away from conventional plastics, food packaging and disposable tableware are increasingly produced from natural raw materials, including cereals such as wheat, barley and rye.

While this development supports environmental sustainability goals, recent scientific studies conducted by AOECS member societies in collaboration with academic partners indicate that gluten can migrate from some of these materials into food.

For people with coeliac disease, even small amounts of gluten can trigger an autoimmune reaction. However, food contact materials are not subject to allergen labelling requirements, meaning consumers currently have no way of knowing whether gluten-containing raw materials have been used.

Evidence and regulatory gaps

Studies within the AOECS network have demonstrated measurable gluten migration from certain cereal-based plates, straws and tableware into food, in some cases significantly exceeding the 20 ppm gluten-free threshold.

Current EU legislation requires that food contact materials must not endanger human health. However, the presence and migration of allergens are not explicitly addressed, and no standardised analytical methods exist to assess gluten transfer from non-food materials.

A call for transparency and updated regulation

AOECS supports the transition towards more sustainable materials and recognises the importance of reducing plastic use. At the same time, consumers with coeliac disease must be given clear information to make informed choices.

“Currently, a strict lifelong gluten-free diet is the only treatment for people with coeliac disease, who must avoid any cross-contact with gluten,” says Veronica Rubio, Secretary General of AOECS. “As new sustainable materials are introduced, it is essential that people with coeliac disease are able to identify products that may pose a risk and choose safe alternatives.”

AOECS calls for mandatory allergen information on food contact materials, the development of validated testing methods, and the inclusion of allergen considerations in the ongoing revision of EU food contact materials legislation.

“Hidden Gluten”

“Hidden gluten” refers to gluten-containing ingredients or sources that may not be immediately obvious or easily identifiable in food products. These hidden sources can pose a risk to individuals with Coeliac Disease or gluten sensitivity who must strictly avoid gluten in their diet.

Regular Soy Sauce is one of the “problem” foods which has Wheat in the ingredient list so we are delighted to make you aware of the Kikkoman Gluten Free Tamari Soy Sauce!

This famous Kikkoman sauce is available brewed without wheat and is Gluten Free resulting in a richly flavoured Tamari soy sauce suitable for Coeliacs and all those wanting to avoid Gluten for whatever reason!

​Kikkoman Soy Sauce​

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The Cost of Living – especially for Coeliacs

We keep hearing about the current cost of living and for medically diagnosed Coeliacs there is one way to help counter the extra costs incurred when buying Gluten Free food.

In Northern Ireland we have worked with the Health & Social Care Board to ensure GF food remains available on free prescription for our Coeliacs and we encourage you to make use of this facility!

Try to order your GF prescription on a monthly basis using the age dependent Units you are allowed. (Email us if you need help with this.)

If you need any information about this or encounter any problems with your GP feel free to contact us for assistance!

As the saying goes – “Use it or lose it”!

If you live in the Irish Republic you are entitled to reclaim 20% of the cost of your annual Gluten Free purchases by way of a tax rebate. You claim it through your Revenue medical expenses Form along with the cost of GP appointments and prescription medications.

​https://www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/health-and-age/health-expenses/index.aspx

You can upload and view your receipts data by using the Receipts Tracker service in myAccount or Revenue Online Service​ (ROS). The receipts and images you upload will be available to assist you when completing your Income Tax Return.

If you upload your receipts and images, you will not need to keep the original receipts.

If you do not upload your receipt image(s) to the Receipts Tracker service, you need to keep the original receipts for six years.

Have you ever used Teff Flour in your baking?

Teff is a gluten-free grain that is technically a seed and native to Ethiopia in eastern Africa where it is probably best known as the source of the spongy, Ethiopian flatbread called Injera. It’s a tiny mild and nutty grain which can be used for thickening soups or stews and as an alternative to porridge.

The nutritional values and health properties of Teff are now well recognised around the world, not just as a grain and flour, but also the products that are manufactured from it – and they are all Gluten Free!

Teff is great as an ingredient in pancakes and breads so we’re delighted to have Pure Gluten Free from Innovative Solutions UK Ltd join us at Gluten Free Ireland to help expand the list of foods available to Coeliacs today.

If you’re not familiar with Teff the Pure Gluten Free website is bursting with more information about the seed as well as ideas on how to use it in the kitchen. https://www.pureglutenfree.co.uk/​

Recognised by Coeliac UK Pure Gluten Free has been supplying Teff and other Gluten Free products to the UK and Irish markets for a long time and is available on Prescription in the UK.

Why not give this Recipe a go and see what you can make with it!

Gluten Free Family Rich Fruit Cake with Teff

Ingredients

250g (8oz) Raisins

250g (8oz) Sultanas

125g glace cherries halved

250g (8oz) Butter plus extra for tin greasing

250g (8oz) Light muscovado sugar

4 medium eggs

1 x tsp ground mixed spice

1 tbs brandy

125gPureGluten Free Flour *

125gPureEragrain Teff Flour *

2 tspn Pure Bicarbonate of soda

1 tspn Pure Xanthan gum *

* Denotes item available from Innovative Solutions on prescription

Method

Cream butter and sugar, gradually adding the eggs

Add sieved dry ingredients

Mix well

Add fruit and brandy

Add to a 9” square or round greased and lined tin and level the top of the mixture

Place in a pre-heated oven at 140oC (or 130oC fan assisted oven), gas mark 1.5 for 2 – 2½ hrs

After first hour, place grease proof paper on the top to prevent it becoming too brown

Remove from the oven when ready

Allow to cool well before cutting

Wrap in foil and placed in an airtight container.

Will keep for several days.

For ingredients, please visit our website

​www.innovative-solutions.org.uk

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Coeliac Awareness Month 2026

Are you on the Gluten Free diet but not medically diagnosed as Coeliac?

If so, this awareness month, May 2026, could be an opportunity for you to discover if you are one of the thousands on the GF diet across Ireland and the UK but who are still undiagnosed!

Or, do you own, run or work in a food business and could take the opportunity to refresh staff training on Coeliac Disease and make your business more Coeliac Friendly.

Diners with Coeliac Disease are very loyal to safe eateries and they bring their friends and families so what business are you missing if you don’t cater for their needs?

Worth thinking about?

Let us know if you need any advice on the subject – derek@glutenfreeireland.com

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For our friends in North America –

Jenny Finke runs this website and always has useful ideas!https://www.goodforyouglutenfree.com/​

Gluten Free Mom​
Recipes and Insights on Gluten Free Food from an Expert in the Field.https://glutenfreemom.com/​

Thank you for your continued support,
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Tina, Derek, Mike, Rachel, Lucy & Benji,
The GFI Team

P.S. Join our growing community on Skool:
​https://www.skool.com/gluten-free-8531​