Monthly e-newsletter serving the celiac and gluten-free community.
JANUARY 2018 EDITION
It is our 25th Birthday! Since 1993, we have been supporting, educating and advocating for those with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. To celebrate, one lucky member will have an extra year added to his or her NCA membership on the 25th day of each month in 2018. Stay tuned to hear more about how we will be celebrating this banner year!
Save the date for the National Celiac Conference: New Facts on Celiac! to be held on November 10 and 11, 2018. Hope you can attend this 1 ½ day event we are planning with the Harvard Medical School Celiac Research Program. The National Celiac Conference will be jam-packed with the latest medical and scientific information from some of your favorite doctors as well as speakers from across the country and plenty of food. November is a wonderful time to visit Boston! Please plan to attend this premium conference.
Please contact us with any questions, concerns or suggestions.
Yours in health,
Lee Graham, Executive Director
Winter 2018 Gluten-Free Nation
Please look out for the 2018 Winter edition of Gluten-Free Nation, its in the mail now!
Can't Wait?
We don't blame you! Members can access the digital edition immediately below.
Tax Deductions For Gluten-Free Food
Have you ever wondered about deducting the cost of gluten-free food on your income taxes? Please see this article for more information and to help you determine if you might be able to save some money doing this.
It Is Our Birthday
Would you like to give us a Birthday present? We are wrapping up our annual appeal but you can still support NCA's mission and goals. We are dedicated to educating and advocating for individuals with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivities, their families, and communities throughout the nation.
Events and Activities Around the Nation
Find An Event: Visit www.nationalceliac.org/events to see upcoming events across the nation!
Post An Event: Do you know about an event that we aren’t aware of? Add it to the calendar here or send us an email.
Save The Date: The National Celiac Conference: New Facts on Celiac, Will be held November 10-11, 2018 in Norwood, MA.
Gluten-Free Seal Recognition Program
Following the dissolution of CSA in 2017, NCA will be continuing the valuable Gluten-Free Recognition Seal Program. When products display the Recognition Seal, customers are assured they are choosing a product which has undergone the most stringent third-party gluten-free certification available for product, processing and packaging. Products carrying NCA's Recognition Seal test at 5 ppm of gluten or less
Webinars and Podcasts
- Get the Straight Talk on Celiac Disease and the Gluten-Free Diet: View this video and read the article.
Ask The Dietitian
Do you have unanswered general nutrition questions about the gluten-free diet and lifestyle?
Melinda Dennis is NCA’s Senior Dietitian Consultant and is happy to answer them. Look for answers on the website and in the following month's e-newsletter.
This Month's Answered Questions:
Q: I am unsure of the importance of using gluten free skin and body products for someone with Celiac Disease? For example, lotions, makeup, shampoo, conditioner, lip balm or lipstick, etc., things that do not pass through the GI tract necessarily. Even touching things like Play Doh... Is the skin contact dangerous for Celiacs? I have heard mixed information from several sources. And when the person has little to no outward symptoms when glutened, it's hard to know how to proceed with these choices! - Click for the answer.
Q: With celiac disease, when I ingest gluten and it affects me days later, is it possible for the damage to heal or is it permanent? I’ve heard both in passing and I’ve been nervous that my ingestion over the past few years has affected more than just my intestines and I know my skin has the effects of gluten ingested and I just was wondering about it. - Click for the answer.
Celiac Disease and GF in the News
- Researchers are working on a new blood test for celiac disease that does not require patients to be eating gluten. Read about this exciting potential development which may make gluten challenges a thing of the past.
- The FDA has released draft guidelines for labeling gluten in drugs. You may read the summary and submit comments on it here.
- This Allergic Living article is titled Celiac Disease, Gluten Symptoms Linked to Eating Disorders, Even Anorexia.
- Interested in learning more about MassGeneral Hospital for Children’s CDGEMM study? Read this article.
- Here is an article about consumer devices that may be used to test food for gluten content.
- Food Safety magazine has an article titled Striving for Transparency: Resolving the Conflict Between Gluten-Free Labeling and Precautionary Allergen Labeling.
Product Recalls & Alerts
Gel Spice Company, Inc
Gel Spice Company, Inc. issued an Allergy Alert for Spice Time and Spice Supreme Beef Flavored Bouillon Cubes due to undeclared allergens (soy and wheat). See the recall notice here.
Rafedain Shish Kabob Company
Rafedain Shish Kabob Company recalled Chicken Patty Shish Kabobs due to undeclared allergens (milk, wheat and soy). Read about it here.
Jane Bakes
Jane Bakes Hazelnut and Chocolate Cookies and Coconut and Caramel Cookies are incorrectly labeled gluten-free and contain wheat flour. See the alert here.
Gluten Free Watchdog’s Citizen Petition
Comments on Gluten Free Watchdog’s citizen petition requesting that the FDA establish a specific protocol for increased surveillance, investigation and enforcement of potential facial misbranding violations under the gluten-free labeling law are closing next month. Please take the time to comment and be heard here.
Recipe of the Month
Make Ahead Scrambled Eggs
NCA’s Executive Director Lee Graham made these for her family for Christmas and can’t stop raving about how easy and delicious they are.
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