AOECS convened the first-ever discussion at the European Parliament on gluten-free safety in the catering sector. Policymakers, industry representatives and patient organisations came together to address food accessibility, awareness and safer dining for people with coeliac disease across Europe. A clear message emerged: gluten-free food is not a lifestyle choice, it is a medical necessity.
The European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions (PETI) has voted to keep Petition No. 1468/2024 on coeliac disease open, calling for continued EU action and greater harmonisation across Member States. AOECS Secretary General Veronica Rubio addressed the Committee on behalf of coeliac patients across Europe, highlighting inequalities in diagnosis, healthcare support and access to gluten-free food.
Your research and projects could help shape the future of coeliac care. AOECS invites submissions for its 5th Call for Scientific Papers, with selected work presented at the 2026 Annual Conference and published in the Scientific Book. Deadline: 30 June 2026.
🟢 AOECS has opened the Huda Emergency Initiative for Gaza. People with coeliac disease depend on a strict gluten-free diet to survive. In humanitarian crises, access to safe food can disappear overnight. Through the fund, AOECS is supporting emergency deliveries of gluten-free food to people with coeliac disease affected by the crisis. Learn more on our website. #together4coeliacs #celiac2celiac
🥐 At a gluten-free breakfast in Brussels, AOECS and our partners brought together MEPs, policymakers and industry representatives to call for stronger EU action on coeliac disease. AOECS presented its Manifesto, urging better integration of coeliac patients’ needs into Europe’s food and health strategies. The event was co-organised with @Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE) and @FoodDrinkEurope.
AOECS calls for greater transparency in EU food contact materials legislation. Evidence from studies within our network shows measurable gluten migration from certain cereal-based bio-materials. Allergen considerations must be included in the ongoing regulatory revision.
In response to a petition submitted by the Catalan Coeliac Society, the European Commission emphasises that while EU rules on gluten and allergen information are in place, their practical impact depends on effective implementation and enforcement at national level. This serves as a clear reminder that we must continue to put pressure on national legislators to ensure these rules are applied.
🇮🇹 Travelling to Italy for the Milano-Cortina Olympic Games? If you live with coeliac disease, you can download the AIC Welcome App – a visitor version of the Italian Coeliac Association’s app – to help you find restaurants, cafés and shops offering safe gluten-free food across Italy. A practical tool for safer dining while travelling. #CoeliacDisease #GlutenFreeTravel #MilanoCortina2026 #AOECS
AOECS will be represented at the 35th PreventCD Progress Meeting, taking place on 22 January 2026 at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) in the Netherlands. This participation reflects our commitment to staying closely connected to scientific research.
AOECS hosted its first-ever Gluten-Free Marketplace in Brussels at the 37th Annual Conference — showcasing 10 innovative gluten-free brands and producers from across Europe. A fantastic opportunity for our coeliac community to connect, taste, and explore the latest in gluten-free innovation. 👉 Interested in joining us next year? Contact us: press@aoecs.org #AOECS #together4coeliacs
The AOECS Annual Conference 2025 is complete! Over 100 delegates met in Brussels to discuss how to improve the lives of people with coeliac disease across Europe. We found 5 priorities for change: earlier diagnosis through screening, better support during care transitions, improved awareness in healthcare and tourism, more collaboration between countries, and fair access to care for coeliacs.
Join us for a special webinar to learn about the first results of Italy’s national paediatric screening programme, the first of its kind in the world. The preliminary results show a 2.8 - 2,9% positivity rate for coeliac-specific antibodies, highlighting the potential of this programme to revolutionise early detection and treatment. Register here: https://www.aoecs.org/webinars-events/
