The Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) is the regulatory body which oversees the prescribable products' list. This is the list that specifies which gluten-free foods and products are available on prescription.  Currently the list does not include breakfast cereals or naan bread.  Coeliac UK's Chief Executive Sarah Sleet has written to the ACBS about the notable absences of breakfast cereals, naan breads (which could be seen discriminate against some cultural groups), the nutritional content of some older products and the pricing of gluten-free prescriptions. She also requested that Coeliac UK be consulted or involved in a current review of the ACBS operations and future remit. We are awaiting a reply so watch this space for further news.

Do you read Crossed Grain magazine (our diet and health magazine) published three times a year?  If you do, then click here for a short survey to help us make it better!

The 38th Coeliac UK Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held at Reading University in Berkshire on 15th July. A food fair, organised by Coeliac UK's Berkshire Voluntary Group, ran alongside the AGM. The day included our first workshop for newly diagnosed members and the annual Elizabeth Segall lecture, titled 'Milestones in Coeliac Disease', presented by Dr Geoff Holmes. BBC Radio Berkshire and the Reading Evening Post both publicised the day and around 800 people attended the event. You can download all the presentations here. 

A new quarterly newsletter specifically for healthcare professionals has been launched by Coeliac UK's diet and health team. It's a must for any healthcare professional interested in the latest news on coeliac disease. If you are a healthcare professional and would like a copy please register here.

Our books can help you cook the perfect gluten-free meal, create masterpieces with your breadmaker or even enhance your vocabulary with multi-lingual phrases to explain the gluten-free diet whilst on holiday! Buy one and you'll be supporting the Charity at the same time.  Click here to visit our shop. 

Photo courtesy of The Hereford Times

A new generation of fundraisers made their debut during Coeliac and DH Awareness Week. Six year old Hereford schoolboy, Elliot Taylor (pictured in the centre), who has coeliac disease raised £4.10 in Awareness Week by selling gluten-free cakes to his classmates.  Thank you Elliot and all the other kids who actively raised money during Awareness Week by selling cakes, having sponsored runs and much more!
Many schools call to ask how they can cater for children with coeliac disease.  If you want to know more about gluten-free catering, please go to our food website where you can get more information, details on the codex standards and more.

Following Awareness Week, members of our All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) entered their names in a ballot to 'win' an opportunity to hold a debate on their chosen issue in the House of Commons. Unfortunately we were unsuccessful this time but will, however, be entering the next ballot when the House returns in the autumn.
The APPG continues to work on our behalf and are planning to address issues to the Health Minister in the autumn. In addition, they will be drawing attention to a forthcoming report from The National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE), which is considering producing guidelines on diagnosis and disease management. The APPG will be focusing on the best practice guidelines for treating coeliac disease.
Meanwhile MPs have been signing our Early Day Motion (EDM) to show support for our early diagnosis campaign. We had hoped that the EDM would attract the signatures of 50 MPs. As Parliament rose for the summer recess it had been signed by 140!

In junction with CORE (the working name for the Digestive Disorders Foundation) we're pleased to invite you to 'An Evening with Alan Bennett', which will take place on Tuesday 19th September at The Royal College of Physicians in London. Yakult sponsors the event and all proceeds will go to Core's Research Fund and Coeliac UK. The evening will begin at 7pm and is followed by a wine and canapé reception. 
Princess Alexandra and Lord Carrington will be there.  Tickets cost £75 and you can contact CORE directly, quoting Coeliac UK, on telephone 020 7486 0341 or by email at info@corecharity.org.uk

It is recommended that people with coeliac disease are followed up regularly - at least annually. Follow-up care varies widely, and many patients are not seen on a regular basis. Follow-up care can be carried out by a gastroenterologist, a GP or dietitian with a specialist interest in coeliac disease. A study was set up to determine the proportion of patients who are followed-up and their views on follow-up care. Questionnaires were sent to 183 patients who had been medically diagnosed by biopsy between 1994 and 2004, of whom 126 completed and returned the questionnaire. The following results where found:

• 62% of these people are having follow-up care on a regular basis.
• 92% of these were seen at a hospital clinic, by a doctor or dietitian and 8% were seen by their GP.  Most found the appointment useful.
• The preferred method of follow-up was by a dietitian with a doctor being available if required.

This study showed that follow-up is indeed variable with 38% of respondents receiving no follow-up care. As nearly all respondents found follow-up care to be useful, there is clearly a need to increase care to the large proportion of people who do not currently receive it.

Bebb J et al. Long-term follow-up of coeliac disease - what do coeliac patients want? Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 2006;23(6):827-31.

Here is some of what is going on but there is so much more happening in and around your area, to find out times, details and other events please click here.

To keep up to date with Juvela's whereabouts click here.

Coeliac UK's 2005 team in Birmingham.

On 3rd September the 'Hydro Active Women's 5k Challenge' is taking place simultaneously in London's Hyde Park, Birmingham and Liverpool and we are very grateful to Glutafin for sponsoring the Coeliac UK team.
It's a great opportunity to keep fit, raise funds for Coeliac UK and above all it's fun! - it's totally up to you whether you run or walk the 5k!
Our presence is valuable in order to raise the profile of coeliac disease; last year we were approached by other charity participants and spectators, who wanted to know more about the condition or had a friend or relative with the disease.  So please consider taking part.
Just follow this link for more information.

We're looking forward to what is expected to be the largest gathering of coeliac experts in the world.  Attracting healthcare industry leaders, nutritionists, pharmaceutical executives, scientists, policy makers, patients and journalists, it will touch on every aspect of adult and paediatric coeliac disease - diagnosis, treatment, science and public policy. 

Sarah Sleet, our Chief Executive, and Norma McGough, our Dietetic Services Manager, will be attending from Coeliac UK.
If you would like to get in touch with the organisers, contact Cynthia Beckman at cb2280@columbia.edu or visit online. 

Lime and Coriander Chicken BBQ Recipe

Tropical fruit meets earthy herb and piquant spice in this white meat paradise.

Serves: 6

Ingredients for the marinade:

• 6 boneless, skinless whole chicken breasts.
• Vegetable oil for brushing chicken.
• 2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons ground coriander
• 2 tablespoons minced lemongrass
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce *
• 1-½ spoons minced fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon sugar

Method

1. In a small bowl combine all marinade ingredients.
2. Place chicken in a re-sealable plastic bag set in a shallow dish.
3. Pour marinade over chicken; close bag.
4. Marinate in refrigerator for 4 hours, turning occasionally to distribute marinade.
5. Lightly brush chicken with oil. Place in centre of cooking grate.
6. Grill for 10 to 12 minutes until tender and no longer pink inside, turning once halfway through grilling time.

* Please ensure you check that the fish sauce you are using is gluten-free.

Order now from Sally’s Sizzling Sausage Company and get 10% discount.  Just quote promotional code EXG7. 

For the first time, you can experience the soft and delicious melt-in-the-mouth taste and texture of Juvela Gluten-Free Fresh Bread straight from the bag.
This Fresh White Sliced Loaf is perfect for sandwiches, dunking in soup or even just on its own, it's so good!
 
Available on prescription, it's dispatched direct to your local pharmacy within hours of being baked to ensure ultimate freshness.
Make sure you add it to your next prescription to get everyday off to a fresh start.
 
For further information CLICK HERE or call 0151 228 1992 and ask for Juvela.

Win gluten-free batter!

New Glu-2-Go fish batter, fritter batter, whatever you want to batter, batter that's gluten-free! We have 40 packs to give away, enter here. Gluten Free shopping made easy at GoodnessDirect with hundreds of coeliac-friendly goodies to choose from. Call 08718716611 for catalogue. 

Dietary Specials, the UK's favourite gluten and wheat free food, has launched its new look website.
 
The site has information on our products as well as recipes and news. It also includes a fantastic interactive forum where you can discuss everything gluten free, online.
 
Check it out today at www.dietaryspecials.co.uk

For the first time or the first time in a long time, your menu can now include all your Chip Shop favourites with Glu-2-Go.

More information can be obtained from www.Glu-2-Go.co.uk Telephone: 01324 717273.

Going on a summer holiday?

Make sure you've no more worries for a week or two with a Dietary Alert Card.

Classic Coeliac Cards dispatched within 48 hours from www.dietarycard.co.uk or call 01506 635358.

Too hot to shop? Let GFF Direct take the hassle out of shopping. Hundreds of gluten and wheat free products available by mail order or e-shop, delivered direct to your door. Visit our website www.glutenfreefoodsdirect.co.uk or call 01757 700636 for a catalogue or further details.