The annual conference of the Association of European Coeliac Societies (AOECS) was held in Stuttgart, Germany last month and was attended by over 100 delegates from across Europe. 

A number of interesting new research results were reported (look out for the report on our website in the coming months), particularly on quality of life issues. Another critical issue addressed was the use of the Crossed Grain symbol across Europe. Unfortunately, countries are applying different rules to the symbol. We aim to combat this next year as we hope to agree on Europe-wide rules so that people buying products with the symbol in any European country will know exactly what standard the symbol represents.

This is your final chance to apply for a Golden Bond place for the Flora London Marathon. Coeliac UK has six places for the run which is taking place in April 2007 and you could be there!
In order to qualify, email us  and select 'Fundraising' from the drop down menu.  Please remember to tell us why you want to run for Coeliac UK, explain whether you have any running experience and whether you can commit to raising a minimum of £1000 in sponsorship.  We will then formally enter you into our own draw to be held during the second week of October. We will contact all participants and let them know if they have been successful or not.

Thanks to all those who ran the Lucozade Light Challenge in September.  Our Fundraising team attended the event in Hyde Park to support and cheer all our runners (left).  Our thoughts were also with those who kindly ran for us in Birmingham and Liverpool. 
Thanks to Glutafin who kindly sponsored this event. 

Visit our online shop for all your Christmas shopping needs!  Check out our fantastic new range of Christmas cards as well as our gluten-free cookery books - ideal as Christmas gifts.  With books ranging from Totally Flour Free Baking - interesting recipes using almonds instead of flour - to making  gorgeous gluten-free bread with a bread maker, you'll be sure to find something to cater for every need.  There's also an opportunity to win a car or cash alternative of over £7,000 in our special Christmas raffle!

OK Foods would like to express a huge thank you to over 7,500 Crossed Grain readers who kindly responded to their recent food allergy questionnaire.  This is the largest research study the bakery has carried out to date and will help make their foods even better! 

In September our Corporate Marketing Manager and two members of the Diet and Health team attended a seminar on food allergy and intolerance, organised by the Food and Drink Innovation Network. A wide variety of guest speakers including representatives from the Food Standards Agency (FSA), gluten-free manufacturers and major supermarkets, provided an interesting and informative day. The FSA has recently published the Guidance on Allergen Management & Consumer Information and this was the focus of the day’s discussions, in particular the guidelines for using ‘may contain’ labelling and cross-contamination during food production. The views and concerns expressed by manufacturers provided an insight into the need for clearer guidance on the management of allergen labelling.

Following complaints from members about the lack of gluten-free food at some National Trust run sites in Scotland, Coeliac UK has written to the National Trust in Scotland to ask them to cater for people with coeliac disease at National Trust properties.  We have not heard of any similar problems at other National Trust properties but will be monitoring the situation.

Coeliac UK is now in the process of planning the campaigning activities for 2007. Following our highly successful 'Are you 1 in 100?' Awareness Week 2006 campaign, we intend to continue to press the case for early diagnosis and continue to use the 'Are you 1 in 100?' campaign theme and slogan.

We are also planning to run additional campaigns throughout the year, will campaign for better provision of gluten-free food in hospitals and care homes.

We will continue to keep a watchful eye on the prescriptions issue, work closely with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on food labelling and work with other organisations such as Children's Food Campaign and the Westminster Health Forum where we are involved with the campaigning for better food in schools.

A number of members have contacted us regarding the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and whether coeliac disease is considered to be a disability under the Act. Although the Act does not specifically list coeliac disease as a disability, its provisions could be interpreted as covering someone with coeliac disease. However, this needs to be considered on a case by case basis until legal action is taken under the Act. This would then become a 'test case' that could be cited in future actions.
 
Coeliac UK is working with members who have experience in this area. We aim to draw up a statement on the Act and list examples of changes that employers might be reasonably expected to make to ensure that the needs of employees with coeliac disease are met.

We are also working with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to include intolerances and allergies explicitly within its plans and policies which will be covered under the Act.

Similarly, other Government departments are drawing up plans and we will be making joint approaches with Allergy UK and the Anaphylaxis Campaign to the Department of Health, the Home Office and the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) to look for similar inclusion in their plans so that we can affect issues such as catering in hospitals and schools.

Scientific evidence suggests that raised levels of fat in the blood are related to increased risk of developing heart disease. Undiagnosed or poorly treated coeliac disease has been associated with individuals having low levels of fat in the blood, which could be potentially beneficial in lowering their risk of developing heart disease.  However, there is a lack of evidence to back this up. It has been suggested that after diagnosis of coeliac disease and subsequent gluten-free diet, cholesterol levels in the blood may rise possibly due to improved absorption of nutrients.

This study looked at the levels of fat in the blood of 132 patients at the time of, and after, diagnosis of coeliac disease and starting a gluten-free diet.  After an average time of 20.5 months on a gluten-free diet it was found that total cholesterol and High Density Lipoprotein, (HDL, "good" cholesterol) levels had increased, and that Low Density Lipoprotein, (LDL, "bad" cholesterol) levels had not increased significantly. The amount of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol compared to ‘good’ HDL cholesterol (known as LDL/HDL ratio) was found to have decreased.

This study concludes that despite an overall increase in total cholesterol, the increase in HDL and reduction in LDL/HDL ratio should calm concerns that dietary treatment of coeliac disease worsens a persons risk of developing heart disease and, in fact, may lead to improvements in changes of fats in the blood

Reference: Brar P et al. Change in Lipid Profile in Celiac Disease: Beneficial Effect of Gluten-Free Diet. The American Journal of Medicine 2006;119:786-790

Here is just a sample of what is going on until the end of the year 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.

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.  Coeliac UK has had three scientific presentations accepted by the conference.

Our Chief Executive, Sarah Sleet and Norma McGough, Head of Diet and Health, 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. 

CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 Sachet Dietary Specials Chocolate Cake Mix
• 3 Medium eggs, beaten
• 100ml (4floz) Cold water
• 140ml (5floz) Vegetable oil

Icing

• 50g (2oz) Dark chocolate*
• 50g (2oz) Butter
• 200g (8oz) Icing sugar
• ½ x 5mlsp (½ tsp) Vanilla essence
• 1-2 x 15mlsp (1-2 tbsp) Hot water

Method

1. Empty the Chocolate Cake Mix into a large bowl.
2. Add the eggs, water and oil and beat vigorously for 1 minute.
3. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and level the surface.
4. Bake in a preheated oven for approx 40 minutes until well risen and firm to the touch.
5. Leave in the tin for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
6. To make the icing: combine the chocolate and butter in a medium saucepan, stir over low heat until melted. Remove from the heat.
7. Stir in the icing sugar and vanilla essence.
8. Stir in the water one x 5mlsp (1 tsp) at a time until the icing is the desired consistency.
9. When the cake is completely cold, cut it in half horizontally, divide the chocolate fudge icing in half, spread one portion in the centre as a filling, top with the other piece of cake and decorate with the remainder of the chocolate fudge icing.

* Please refer to your Food and Drink Directory

For more delicious recipes from Dietary Specials please visit www.dietaryspecials.co.uk. 

Who wants to live in a world without sticky toffee pudding?

Just because you're living gluten-free shouldn't mean you have to miss out. That's why our website has over a hundred recipes for everyday dishes, as well as treats like sticky toffee pudding. Why not give it a go? Just add some Glutafin Select Fibre Mix to your next prescription and follow our sticky toffee pudding recipe. 
Because let's be honest, there are some things we could live without but gooey desserts isn't one of them.

Johnson's Dietary Provisions  - a family run business offering a large selection of high quality products for all dietary needs. 
Visit our shop near Brighton, buy online at www.johnsonsprovisions.co.uk or call our free-phone number 0800 688 8969.

Need a small, light, low cost portable toaster? Our Travel Toasters are the perfect solution. For gas or electric cookers. From only £3.99
Now available to order on-line www.traveltoasters.com Tel: 01522 576633.

This christmas treat yourself to some of Zedz foods delicious Christmas treats (also with no added sugar). Special offer box with a cake, pudding & 6 muffins £25 inc delivery 01691 648029.

The secret to a gluten-free & stress-free break …
is communicating your needs to chefs & waiters …
let Dietarycard put peace of mind in your pocket.  
Translated cards despatched within 24 hours.
www.dietarycard.co.uk 01506 635358

Introducing the fantastic new products from Innofoods (supplied by Gluten free foods direct), including Smoked salmon and crème fraiche pie and Coffee bread with peach and cheesecake topping. See the whole range at www.glutenfreefoodsdirect.co.uk or call 01757 700636 for a catalogue or further details.

LET’S GOURMANDIZE GLUTEN-FREE!
New Gluten-Free Foods now available in the UK exclusively at: www.glutenfreefoodsdirect.co.uk 
Enjoy the new taste of our delicious GF pies, also suitable for milk, lactose, egg and other allergies!

In a recent survey over 8 out of 10 coeliacs preferred Rizopia Organic Brown rice pasta to their normal pasta. 

Available from all health food shops.

For more information please visit PGR Health Foods at www.pgrhealthfoods.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.