Professional Associations

The AFN is a professional body that holds the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN), a competency-based register of Nutritionists. It aims to protect and benefit the public by promoting nutrition and public health, and championing high standards of practice in the nutrition profession.

The BDA is the professional association for dietitians. The site offers wide-ranging information including professional affairs, education and training, media resources and position papers.

The BSG is a professional organisation of specialists in gastroenterology and exists for the promotion of academic and educational activities within the discipline. The following documents can be viewed and downloaded from the Clinical Practice section: 'Guidelines for osteoporosis in coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease' and 'Management of patients with coeliac disease'.

BSPGHAN promotes standards of care for children with gastrointestinal (GI), liver and nutritional diseases, supports research, training and education for members. The society involves members developing standards of care for the investigation and treatment of chidren with GI disorders and providing advice and support to implement child-centred strategies to deliver them. The BSPGHAN coeliac disease working group have produced guidelines which can be viewed and downloaded.

CREST now forms part of the Guidelines and Audit Implementation Network in Northern Ireland. In 2006 a guideline for the diagnosis and management of coeliac disease in adults was published. The guideline is available for download under the CREST Publications page.

The PCSG was founded in 1985 to provide a network for general practitioners and others interested in all clinical, research and educational aspects of gastroenterological disorders and in particular their management in primary care. Under the PCSG Publications section the following documents can be viewed and downloaded: 'The management of Adults with Coeliac Disease in Primary Care'.

Patient Charities

The AOECS was founded in 1988 and is the umbrella organisation for European coeliac societies. It reviews issues of intenational importance, coordinates items and activities of interest amongst members and allows exchange of information between European coeliac societies for the benefit of people affected with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis.

Coeliac UK is an independent registered charity supporting people with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis in the UK. This site offers extensive information covering aspects such as coeliac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis, medical information, coeliac disease and oats and frequently asked questions. As part of their new primary care campaign Coeliac UK is offering a new grade of professional membership.^

Diabetes UK is the leading charity working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people with the condition. There is a dedicated section for healthcare professionals.

The NOS is a charity dedicated to improving the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. The site offers a dedicated section for healthcare professionals and also provides downloadable patient information sheets. 'The coeliac condition and osteoporosis' is one such leaflet that is available under the 'What is osteoporosis?' section within Publications.

Regulatory

The BSNA represents the manufacturers of specialist nutrition products, covering products as diverse as infant formula and prescribable gluten free foods, medical foods and sports foods. Member companies are dedicated to undertaking detailed scientific research to ensure all products meet the requirements of the users and of the strict legislation governing the categories. Products are unique, meeting the specific nutritional requirements of these groups; they are specialist nutrition products for special people.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission was created in 1963 by the FAO and WHO to develop food standards, guidelines and related texts. The main purposes are to protect the health of the consumers and promote coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organisations. The Codex Standard for Gluten-Free Foods can be found under the 'Official Standards' section of the Codex website. It has been agreed that this standard will be renamed Standard for Foods for Special Dietary Uses for Perons Intolerant to Gluten.

The Food Standards Agency is an independent Government department set up by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to protect the public's health and consumer interests in relation to food.

NICE is an independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on promoting good health and preventing and treating ill health. In May 2009, NICE issued a Clinical Guideline on the Recognition and Assessment of Coeliac Disease to help improve recognition of coeliac disease and to increase the number of people diagnosed with the condition.
NICE guidelines for conditions related to coeliac disease also exist which recommend coeliac disease should be screened for. These include the NICE Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the NICE Guidelines on Type 1 Diabetes in Adults, Young People and Children.

Gluten-Free Manufacturers

Dietary Specials is the UK's favourite gluten and wheat free food created for people who have to, or choose to, follow a special diet. We offer a wide range of bread, pasta and frozen food in the free-from section of most major supermarkets.

The Dr Schar group has been producing gluten-free foods for more than 25 years. During that time, it has acquired a leadership position in the European dietetic market. The primary goal is to develop solutions for special dietary problems whilst considering consumer needs and the nature of the products. Our all-round responsibility as a manufacturer of premium qualtiy dietary products obliges us to provide the best quality products and services. A dedicated Research and Development department, researching raw materials and ingredients, and developing new products, flow into one of the biggest variety of food to cope with a gluten-free diet. Dr Schar places great importance on close contact with our consumers and HCPs; relevant consumer-based services form a basis for the continual development of our product range.

The Schar website offers specialised information about coeliac disease and over 600 recipes that appeal to every taste.

Glutafin has updated its website providing a dedicated site for patients. The new Glutafin website aims to keep people with coeliac disease up-to-date on news and forthcoming events with information on the latest products. The recipe section gives hundreds of delicious recipes and provides useful tips on cooking with Glutafin. There is also a comprehensive frequently asked questions page to give people with coeliac disease a greater understanding of the condition.

Trufree is a luxurious range of tasty wheat free and guten free treats, perfect for the times when only indulgence will do. We offer a superb range of biscuits, crackers and pasta in the free-from section a wide selection of supermarkets.

Coeliac Societies in Europe

American Websites

The American Celiac Disease Alliance 9acda0 is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of those with coeliac disease through programes of advocacy, awareness, education and research.

The Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) provides support, information and assistance to people affected by celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis. CDF increases awareness among the general public and works closely with healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical and medical industries.

The University of Maryland Centre for Coeliac Research is an institution engaged in clinical care, diagnostic support, education and clinical and basic science research in coeliac disease. The paramount goal of the Centre for Coeliac Research is to increase the awareness of coeliac disease in order to provide better care,better quality of life and more adequate support for the coeliac disease community.