AOECS calls for stronger EU action on coeliac disease at gluten-free breakfast in Brussels

The Association of European Coeliac Societies (AOECS) and partners brought together Members of the European Parliament, EU policy stakeholders and industry representatives at a gluten-free breakfast in Brussels on 26 February to call for stronger integration of coeliac disease into Europe’s food and health strategies.

The event, entitled “Gluten-free breakfast: Why choice matters”, was co-organised with Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE) and FoodDrinkEurope. It gathered a broad mix of policymakers, manufacturers and national coeliac societies from Belgium, the Netherlands and Austria.

Among those present was MEP Elena Nevado Del Campo, whose participation underlined the growing political recognition of coeliac disease as a cross-sector public health issue.

A timely moment to present the AOECS Manifesto

The presence of Members of the European Parliament provided a timely opportunity for AOECS to present its Manifesto, outlining concrete proposals to ensure that the needs of people with coeliac disease are systematically reflected in existing EU frameworks.

Coeliac disease affects an estimated 1–2% of Europeans, with up to 80% remaining undiagnosed. Despite its prevalence, the condition continues to receive insufficient attention within health, food and social policy discussions.

During breakfast, Verónica Rubio, Secretary General at AOECS, emphasised that coeliac disease must be recognised as a cross-cutting issue connecting healthcare systems, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, food systems, workforce participation and social inclusion.

Four priority areas for EU action

The AOECS Manifesto sets out four priority areas:

• Embed coeliac disease within mental health and NCDs strategies
  As a chronic autoimmune condition requiring lifelong treatment, coeliac disease should be systematically integrated into European discussions on non-communicable diseases and mental health.
• Strengthen health workforce skills
  Training for healthcare professionals remains uneven across Europe, contributing to persistent underdiagnosis and inconsistent patient pathways.
• Ensure inclusive food systems
  A competitive European food system must reflect medically necessary dietary needs. Safe and affordable gluten-free options must be accessible across restaurants, hospitals and retail environments.
• Reduce the financial burden
  The price gap between gluten-free and conventional products remains substantial, placing a disproportionate burden on individuals and families. Member States should explore fiscal incentives, reimbursement schemes and exchange of best practices.

Humanitarian dimension

AOECS also recalled the importance of ensuring continuity of medically necessary diets in crises. Building on the experience of the AOECS Emergency Fund for Ukraine, the organisation reiterated the need for coordinated approaches to protect vulnerable groups during humanitarian emergencies.

AOECS concludes that integrating coeliac disease into Europe’s existing food and health strategies does not require new structures, but stronger coordination, political recognition and cross-sector collaboration.