Meet the AOECS Board of Directors
AOECS is pleased to introduce its Board of Directors following the General Assembly held in Amsterdam on 10 October 2026.
Categories: coeliac disease
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Coeliac Health 2030 takes centre stage at AOECS Annual Conference
Around 130 delegates from across the world gathered in Amsterdam for the 38th AOECS Annual Conference to explore the future of coeliac health by 2030. Discussions focused on earlier diagnosis, more consistent care, emerging treatments and research that reflects patients’ priorities, with international cooperation central to turning progress into better everyday lives.
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AOECS joins new UEG advisory board to strengthen patient involvement
AOECS has joined United European Gastroenterology’s (UEG) new Patient Representatives Advisory Board, bringing the perspectives of people living with coeliac disease into a broader European dialogue on digestive health. The initiative aims to strengthen cooperation between patient organisations and medical professionals, ensuring that patients’ experiences and needs are better understood.
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Abigail Zalba to Represent Coeliac Youth at European Congress
Abigail Zalba, General Coordinator of Coeliac Youth of Europe, will represent young people with coeliac disease at the first-ever EPF Youth Congress 2026 in Brussels, advocating for their rights and a stronger voice in European health policy. AOECS welcomes this opportunity for its youth network to engage in European patient advocacy.
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Swedish researcher receives first AOECS Young Researcher Award
Swedish researcher Elin Hård af Segerstad received the first AOECS Young Researcher Award, presented at its 38th Annual Conference in Amsterdam. Selected from six entries, she researches how to make life with coeliac disease easier. The award combines scientific assessment with patient perspectives to encourage research that makes a difference.
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AOECS calls for a more inclusive EU Youth Strategy
As the EU revises its Youth Strategy, how can we ensure that no person is left behind? Young people with coeliac disease and other chronic health conditions face barriers that affect their education, mobility and social participation. That's why AOECS is calling for health, inclusion and equal opportunities to be at the heart of the next EU Youth Strategy. Read our position paper to learn more.
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AOECS Launches Young Researcher Award in Coeliac Research
AOECS has launched the Young Researcher Award in Coeliac Disease Research to recognise and encourage outstanding early-career scientists. The international award aims to raise the profile of promising researchers, foster collaboration and inspire the next generation of experts working to improve the lives of people with coeliac disease. Open for applications now until 15 August 2026.
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Report from Ottawa: A milestone for coeliac disease and gluten labelling
AOECS Chair Floris van Overveld reports from CCFL49 in Ottawa, where new guidelines for Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL) were adopted. After years of advocacy, cereals containing gluten are now included in the framework, while gluten-free claims and PAL remain clearly separated. It marks an important step towards clearer labelling and safer food choices for coeliac patients worldwide.
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Could coeliac disease affect more than we realise?
Could coeliac disease affect more than we realise? One of the most thought-provoking submissions to the AOECS Scientific Book 2025 explored how coeliac disease impacts not only physical health, but also confidence, stability, freedom and overall wellbeing. The findings suggest that the real-life burden of living gluten-free may often be underestimated.
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Could science help create better bread for people with coeliac disease?
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.
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European Parliament Keeps Coeliac Disease Petition Open
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.
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AOECS launches fifth Call for Scientific Papers on Coeliac Disease and Innovation
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.
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AOECS opens emergency initative to support people with coeliac disease in Gaza
🟢 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
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AOECS calls for stronger EU action on coeliac disease at gluten-free breakfast in Brussels
🥐 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.
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EU response issued to petition on coeliac disease submitted to the European Parliament
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.
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Download AIC’s Welcome App for safe gluten-free dining during the Milano-Cortina Olympic Games
🇮🇹 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
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AOECS attends PreventCD partners’ meeting in Leiden
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.
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Italy Leads the Way in Paediatric Screening for Coeliac Disease
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/
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AOECS Launches Global Call for Success Stories
📣 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
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International Coeliac Day - Big moment for coeliac rights in the EU
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!
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