varno – za bolnike s celiakijo! / safe – for patients with celiac disease!

Pri celiakiji je edino učinkovito zdravljenje dosledna, vseživljenjska brezglutenska prehrana. S projektom je društvo Celiac Slovenija naslavljalo nepreglednost in nevarnosti na trgu brezglutenskih živil, ki so se pojavile zaradi naraščajočega števila ponudnikov ter pogostega nespoštovanja veljavne zakonodaje. Takšne razmere predstavljajo resno tveganje za zdravje bolnikov s celiakijo, saj lahko zavajajoče ali nepravilno označevanje vodi do nenamernega uživanja glutena.

V okviru projekta so sistematično evidentirali ponudnike brezglutenskih živil, od njih zahtevali odpravo ugotovljenih nepravilnosti ter jim zagotovili ustrezno izobraževanje o zakonodajnih zahtevah in varnih praksah. Pri izvajanju aktivnosti so tesno sodelovali z Upravo RS za varno hrano, veterinarstvo in varstvo rastlin ter zagovarjali poostren nadzor nad proizvodnjo in ponudbo brezglutenskih živil. 

Projekt je vključeval tudi pobudo Vladi RS za popravek slovenskega prevoda evropske uredbe o označevanju brezglutenskih živil, saj obstoječi prevod omogoča napačno uporabo oznak, ki naj bi bolnikom s celiakijo zagotavljale prepoznavanje varnih izdelkov. S spremljevalno zagovorniško kampanjo na družbenih omrežjih je projekt dodatno ozaveščal javnost o varni brezglutenski prehrani ter jasno izpostavljal razlike med varnimi in tveganimi živili za bolnike s celiakijo.

Kaj smo dosegli

• Pregledali smo 50 subjektov na trgu brezglutenskih živil in dosegli, da je vsaj 60 % pregledanih subjektov zagotovilo trajno skladnost z zakonodajo, bodisi z umikom nedovoljene oznake »brez glutena« bodisi z zagotavljanjem zakonsko predpisane varnosti za bolnike s celiakijo.
• Zmanjšali smo uporabo nedovoljenih prehranskih trditev na deklaracijah brezglutenskih izdelkov, kar je prispevalo k večji varnosti trga za bolnike s celiakijo.
• Okrepili smo ozaveščenost javnosti o celiakiji in varnosti brezglutenskih živil, kar se je odrazilo v vsaj 10-odstotnem povečanju dosega in aktivnosti uporabnikov na družbenih omrežjih društva.
• Uporabniki družbenih omrežij so se aktivneje vključevali v vsebine, povezane z zakonitim označevanjem in varno prehrano za bolnike s celiakijo.
• Prispevali smo k večji odgovornosti proizvajalcev in ponudnikov, saj so bili seznanjeni z zakonodajnimi obveznostmi in posledicami nepravilnega označevanja. 

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For people with coeliac disease, the only effective treatment is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet. Through the project, Celiac Slovenia sought to improve regulation and transparency in the market for gluten-free products, which has become increasingly unsafe and unclear due to the growing number of new providers and frequent non-compliance with existing legislation. Such conditions pose a serious risk to the health of people with coeliac disease, as misleading or incorrect labelling can result in the unintended consumption of gluten.

As part of the project, providers of gluten-free products were systematically identified, required to correct detected irregularities, and offered appropriate training on legal requirements and safe practices. The project was implemented in close cooperation with the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection, and advocated for stricter oversight of the production and sale of gluten-free foods.

The project also submitted a proposal to the Government of the Republic of Slovenia to amend the Slovenian translation of the EU regulation governing the labelling of gluten-free foods, as the existing translation allows for the incorrect use of labels intended to help people with coeliac disease identify safe products. Through an advocacy and awareness-raising campaign on social media, the project further increased public awareness of safe gluten-free nutrition and clearly highlighted the differences between safe and risky foods for people with coeliac disease.

What we achived

• We reviewed 50 operators in the gluten-free food market and achieved lasting compliance among at least 60% of the reviewed operators, either by removing the unauthorised “gluten-free” claim or by ensuring the legally required safety standards for people with coeliac disease.
• We reduced the use of unauthorised nutrition claims on gluten-free product labels, contributing to increased market safety for people with coeliac disease.
• We strengthened public awareness of coeliac disease and the safety of gluten-free foods, reflected in at least a 10% increase in reach and user activity on the organisation’s social media channels.
• Social media users became more actively engaged with content related to lawful labelling and safe nutrition for people with coeliac disease.
• We contributed to greater accountability among producers and providers, as they were informed about their legal obligations and the consequences of improper labelling.