Posted By alex mccreadie My wife is suffers from Coeliac disease which means she is on a Gluten Free diet.(This is not a vegetarian type fad but a disease) She works for the NHS in a hospital. She went to the hospital restaurant today and notice a new sign that says "Due to new legislation the restaurant cannot assist with allergy enquiries" She has written already to the Catering Manager and CC the CEO. Has anyone heard of this new legislation that with winter coming up Coeliac,s in this area who attend the hospital can eat salads or chips as they are not allowed to ask what is in the food? Ta Alex

Posted By Donna Al Assaad Hi there... I'm a coeliac (and I know what you mean about the assumption it's a 'fad'!), I haven't seen anything about new legislation preventing people from assisting with allergy enquiries. I've also just called Coeliac UK who are not aware of any restrictions either. I can only assume, that it's an over-reaction to fears that the incorrect information could be given out, and they've gone down the all or nothing route - and decided not to give any information out?! They should be able to state if foods 'intentionally contain' any allergens, and also if there is risk of cross contamination... but to not say anything at all is surely far worse? I'd be interested to know the response from the management concerned.. Donna

Posted By Ian Blenkharn Give them a break - though you might be tempted to sigh heavily at the nonsense approach to saying we don't know and don't want to place ourselves into the firing line simply by trying to be helpful. In all probability, the servers don't know the details of content of the food that they are serving. Most of it will be cook-chill, made 100s of miles away and heated up locally. They have no idea, and more than the staff of the local supermarket would be able to answer your questions. Your wife will be well aware of the role of dietitians in her learning to manage her own coeliac disease. No doubt, they help patients in that hospital too, but then they are unlikely to receive the standard food choices available more widely and served in the canteen. I'm sure you want the best for your wife, but perhaps there is need for a little self-help in this difficult and life-long situation that might not include criticism of those who happen to serve food in a canteen.

Posted By Crim I was in a well known supermarket today, can't say the name but begins with T and ends in O. I noticed a large packet of crisps in a clear see through bag, that were gluten free, they were in the the pasta, rice etc. aisle. I looked at the ingrediants and saw they still contained just about everything else inc. fat and carbs. This will not answer your question but now you know where to get some crisps for your wife!

Posted By Seamus O Sullivan I would consider this an attempt to discriminate against certain employees,

Posted By Ron Hunter It would have been more honest to simply replace the word "legislation" with the word "uncertainty".

Posted By Robert K Lewis HMM This smells and tastes like disability discrimination raising its head. A recent case in the Lords has relaxed the interpretation of who is affected and it has been made clear that persons with controlled disability due to their personal actions and controls, but who are affected by changes in the workplace, are now to be regarded as covered. I suggest that this change in attitude by the restaurant has an adverse impact on your wife ansd thus may well be discriminatory. Sorry I cannot put my hands on the case at the moment. It was something to do with a change to open plan work areas I think. Alex On a personal note if you would like to email me chapter and verse. I am chairing the diversity working party and this sits in the area of IOSH assistance to employers which is part of our remit. Bob

Posted By Ian Blenkharn Discrimination? Surely, the world has gone mad if this really is discrimination and covered by any legal framework. And I'm particularly saddened that this issue has been brought under the H&S umbrella which in other circumstances would be considered quite unnecessary and inappropriate, though it is of course extremely important to the individual. I sympathise greatly with those with coeliac, but what about those with diabetes, or perhaps those who may be at risk of later developing diabetes, those who may be placed at risk of cardiovascular disease or of obesity if they are not prospectively of the type and amount of fats and sugar present in foods, those with an intolerance to dyestuff additives, and all of the other combinations and permutations. The information that can be found on many manufactured products is increasing in scope in order to inform the public of the relevant facts as part of a sensible public health measure. From that, they should be able to make their own decision. It is not intended as anything more. Mr Lewis, please do present your evidence. I hope it is well founded and based upon more than a quick skim over some much more complicated issue, or on the the barrack room interpretation that is all too common here. But then, if it really is correct, my apologies. And will the last one out of this crazy world please turn the lights out!

Posted By alex mccreadie Dear All Before this turns into a bunfight (Gluton Free Flour of course) I have the info I wanted and now my wife awaits response to her letter. So thanks to everyone especially Bob who has been a valued poster on this site as long as I can remember. Regards Alex