On behalf of the gluten free community, we’re responding to a consultation which is looking to change the rules on the nutrients that are added to gluten containing flour. We believe gluten free flour should also be covered by this legislation and will be putting forward evidence in support of this.
The UK government is seeking the public’s views on the update and change of The Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 and The Bread and Flour Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 which cover specific rules on adding nutrients to bread and flour.
The existing regulations require the compulsory fortification of milled white and brown non-wholemeal wheat flour with added calcium, iron, thiamin and niacin to protect against nutrient deficiencies within the UK population. Non-wholemeal flour will also be required to add folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects (NTD) in foetuses.
Currently, the proposed changes do not include gluten free flour and bread. We believe this unfairly excludes those following a gluten free diet who might benefit from mandatory fortification too. Unfortunately, fortification in gluten free products remains voluntary and many products do not have added nutrients.
Read more about increased nutrients in gluten free products here
The main reason for the consultation is due to changes to the law made following the UK leaving the EU. There is also a need to bring bread and flour regulations in line with other food legislation, as well as the implementation of folic acid fortification following a public consultation in 2019.
Adults with coeliac disease are recommended to increase their daily intake of calcium to 1000mg compared to the general population of 700mg.
Read more about calcium intake here
Additionally, it is currently recommended for women to take folic acid supplements of 400mg during the three months before conception and the first 12 weeks of pregnancy to protect against NTDs. Women with coeliac disease are recommended to take an extra 5mg as a precaution in case of on-going malabsorption.
More about pregnancy and coeliac disease
Coeliac UK will be responding to this consultation asking for equivalent regulations for gluten free flour and bread so that people with coeliac disease will also benefit from this.
If you would like to have your say please respond here.
The consultation closes on 23 November 2022.