In this edition of The Gluten‑Free Brief, we share evidence‑based celiac disease and gluten‑free updates in policy, clinical research, and food access from Australia, Sweden, North America, and beyond.
Courtney Andelman, a UC Davis student, pushed the university to add safe gluten‑free meals to orientation events for students with celiac disease.
Her work with CDF also helped campuses like Cal Poly SLO add gluten‑free stations, clearer labeling, and pilot gluten‑free food boxes for students who can’t afford safe food.
Source: Celiac Disease Foundation
Adults with celiac disease had a 42% higher risk of first‑time acute pancreatitis than people without celiac disease.
Researchers from a nationwide Swedish cohort study emphasize that while the absolute risk stays low, clinicians should still be aware of the link.
Source: Journal of Internal Medicine
Australia is preparing a massive early‑childhood screening program for celiac disease and type 1 diabetes, aiming to test more than 150,000 children.
Backed by Coeliac Australia and Breakthrough T1D, the program will invite children in Years 1 and 4 to take part, to catch silent celiac earlier instead of waiting for severe symptoms.
Source: Healthed
New U.S. survey data show just how isolating celiac can be: 54% feel socially excluded, 71% avoid restaurants, and 66% skip gatherings because of gluten worries.
The survey also found most respondents feel anxious and mentally tired from the work of managing a gluten‑free diet.
Sources: NIMA Partners/Beyond Celiac survey via GlobeNewswire & Celiac.com
A Spanish lab study of “gluten‑removed” beers found that although gluten levels drop, fructans and amylase/trypsin inhibitors often remain similar to regular beer.
That may help explain why some people report gut symptoms from these beers despite low measured gluten.
Source: Spanish beer study (Food Chemistry), via Celiac.com
In Australia, about 1 in 70 people have celiac disease but up to 80% remain undiagnosed.
Earlier European screening work similarly found about 75% of celiac cases were previously undetected, suggesting underdiagnosis is a persistent problem in high‑income countries.
Sources: Healthed/Coeliac Australia; earlier European screening data via AOECS
New research finds gluten cross‑contact in shared kitchens can be lower than many families assume when appliances are cleaned properly.
A Dutch study found glass cutting boards washed in the dishwasher had the least gluten, plastic boards only rinsed were riskiest, and most toasters or fryers were low‑risk after crumbs and oil were changed.
Source: Burger et al., Dietetics, via Celiac Canada
Informational news roundup; no endorsement implied. This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice from your own healthcare team.
