Purpose
This policy brief will discuss the challenges that are faced by Canadians in accessing gluten-free diet options in the market. The brief will further address the steps that are being taken to improve accessibility and offer recommendations for improving the accessibility to the concerned population.
Background
Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye.
A gluten-free diet is adopted by people who are suffering from Celiac disease, non-Celiac gluten sensitivity, wheat allergy, or as a personal choice to avoid gluten in the diet. People with the aforementioned disorders must maintain a strict gluten-free diet as this is the only treatment option available right now. In Canada, 1.9% of the population follows a gluten-free diet due to the underlying reasons mentioned above. Around 0.5-1% of the Western population suffers from Celiac disease and the percentage is ever increasing because of an increase in the various environmental factors such as stress in our daily lives.
Apart from the stress of being diagnosed with Celiac disease, people suffer from the
additional stress of accessing a gluten-free diet because gluten is a widely used
ingredient in baked goods, various sauces, breakfast options, processed food, and
many more. Adapting to a new lifestyle puts an added emotional stress on Celiacs.
Additionally, gluten-free food options are not available in all grocery stores which also
impacts the cost of a gluten-free diet further affecting the pockets of Canadian Celiacs.
Lack of easy availability of gluten-free food, Canadian Celiacs tend to avoid social
gatherings which affects their mental and social health. Altogether, these are the
multiple factors that should be kept in mind in improving accessibility to a gluten-free
diet. As per a survey done by the Canadian Celiac Association (2020), 68% of food
banks reported more options for a gluten-free diet for concerned individuals.
What is being done to address it currently?
Health Canada conducted multiple studies to assess the minimum amount of gluten that can be tolerated by Celiacs in their diet in a day. As per Health Canada (2012), this
threshold value came out to be less than 10mg/day which means foods containing
gluten of less than 20 parts per million are safe for consumption by Celiacs. Health
Canada utilized this result to label food options like gluten-free for Celiacs to identify while grocery shopping.
Further, a volunteer-based federally registered organization called Canadian Celiac
Association works to provide access to resources for people suffering from Celiac
disease, gluten intolerance, and wheat allergy. Such organizations provide a plethora of
knowledge for Celiacs so they can easily identify hidden sources of gluten in their diet.
Also, tax benefits are given to people who follow a gluten-free diet as a piece of medical advice.
Recommendations for improving access to a Gluten-free diet
Improved quality of the information provided by dieticians and primary healthcare providers to newly diagnosed patients.
Clarity of information on gluten-free options will allay anxiety associated with the diagnosis.
Clear labeling on gluten-free foods for easy identification by the concerned group of the population.
Increased awareness by incorporating nutrition courses at the college level, promoting tax benefits given to people suffering from Celiac Disease.
Providing proper training to restaurant staff and chefs so they are aware of gluten-free options and can prepare them without cross-contamination.
Developing applications for smartphones that provide information about the location of grocery stores selling gluten-free options.
Conclusion
Access to a gluten-free diet should be improved to address the problems faced by
people suffering from Celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and wheat allergy. Efforts have
been done by the government in the past which have proved beneficial too.
But more work is to be done to help the concerned population in adjusting to the new normal in amore holistic manner.
By: Prachi Cooner ,April 15, 2022
Source: static1.squarespace.com
