Some of the proteins most strongly linked to coeliac disease were removed from the wheat — and the bread actually became better. That was one of the remarkable findings presented in the AOECS Scientific Book 2025, where researchers explored how wheat could potentially become less harmful for people with coeliac disease while still producing high-quality bread. Share your own research with us.
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/
📣 Share. Inspire. Empower. We’re calling all National Coeliac Societies—AOECS members & non-members—to submit your biggest success stories from 2025! 🌍 Top 5 featured at #AOECS2025 in Brussels + global showcase. Read more about this on www.aoecs.org #together4coeliacs #celiac2celiac #AOECS #celiacdisease
Big moment for coeliac rights in the EU 🇪🇺🌾 Just two days ago, a petition by the Coeliacs of Catalunya and supported by AOECS, was accepted by the European Parliament’s Petitions Committee!
🎉 Interesting news for the #Coeliac community A petition by Esther Roger from the Catalunyan Coeliac Society has been officially accepted by the European Parliament’s Petitions Committee. It calls for a European Framework Directive on coeliac disease — including better diagnosis, training, support and access to gluten-free food. AOECS welcomes this initiative for coeliac rights across Europe. 💪
🚨 Did you know that up to 30% of coeliacs continue to struggle with symptoms even while following a gluten-free diet? Have you experienced the same issue? 🤔 Then you watch this recording of Professor Detlef Schuppan as he presents the latest pharmacological therapies for coeliac disease! 🌍🍞. Click here to see it 🎥
📢 New research from the ARCTIC study published in the AOECS Scientific Book 2024 reveals that a gluten-free diet alone may not normalise body composition in coeliac patients. The findings suggest that despite the benefits of a gluten-free diet, patients may still face significant health challenges. ⚠️ Read more about this in the AOECS Scientific Book 2024 🔗
📢 Advancing Gluten-Free Eating Out in Europe! 🍽️🌍 A joint conference in Belgrade arranged by some AOECS member associations brought together experts to tackle the challenges of providing safe, high-quality, and affordable gluten-free meals for people with coeliac disease. One outcome was the BEcME group’s commitment to work on a basic Eating Out Gluten-Free scheme. Read more about it. 🔗
🔬 New Research Highlights Challenges in Gluten-Free Diet Adherence 🍞🚫. Three recent studies in the AOECS Scientific eBook 2024 reveal key barriers to maintaining a gluten-free diet for coeliacs, from social exclusion and food insecurity to diagnostic differences across countries. 📖 Read more and explore the latest coeliac research in our Scientific eBook.
