The National Federation of Fish Friers are pleased to announce ‘Coeliac UK’ as the latest organisation to become an Associate Member with National Federation of Fish Friers.

Coeliac UK is the leading charity working for people with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). We are widely recognised as the expert body on the gluten-free diet and want to see more gluten-free choices on menus so that people with coeliac disease can eat out with confidence.

1 in every 100 people in the UK has coeliac disease with around 1,200 new Members joining the Charity every month who depend on gluten-free food to manage their condition. And with half a million people in the UK still to be diagnosed with coeliac disease and a growing consumer segment who choose gluten-free food for health and lifestyle reasons, it’s understandable why caterers are embracing this increased demand.

Furthermore new legislation in the form of the EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation which came into force on 13 December 2014 requires food businesses to provide information on 14 allergens, including gluten, and so there is now a real need for all caterers to be educated on catering gluten-free.

Coeliac UK provides expert training and accreditation services to the catering industry to help them comply with the law on gluten-free and meet the growing demands of customers with coeliac disease who must follow a gluten-free diet, and who want more choice in regards to eating out venues. We estimate the GF market to be worth £100 million per year to the hospitality industry demonstrating a clear commercial opportunity for businesses that can safely cater gluten-free.

Our face to face and online catering training courses look at understanding coeliac disease, what people with coeliac disease need, why serve gluten-free , the law on gluten-free and the seven basic principles of effective gluten-free management.

Alongside the training, Coeliac UK has a GF accreditation scheme which automatically signposts a venue can serve safe gluten-free options and offers reassurance to our Members and those following a gluten-free diet. The accredited trademarked GF symbol can be used on menus, literature, other marketing material and through the scheme we can help you highlight your gluten-free offering to your target market.

We are delighted to have accredited a growing number of NFFF members including The Real Food Café, Bizzie Lizzie’s, Wollaston Fish Bar, Woodhouse Fish and Chips and most recently Taylor’s Fish and Chips. With Fish and Chips being one of our Members favourite take away options we are keen to work with more fish and chip shops and encourage them to cater gluten-free.

To find out more about Coeliac UK’s catering training and accreditation please visit www.coeliac.org.uk/trainingandaccreditationor contact catering training @coeliac.org.uk /01494 796727

Exclusive NFFF Reader Offer

Enjoy a 20% discount until 30 September and complete our online training for just £28 +VAT (usual price £35). Visit www.coeliacuktraining.org.uk, click on the private sector and quote code NFFFAUG2015 when registering