Carluccio's awarded Coeliac UK gluten-free accreditation

03 July 2015 by Hannah Thompson

Italian restaurant group Carluccio's has received gluten-free accreditation from Coeliac UK for its gluten-free (GF) menu.

The all-day gluten-free dining menu is served in Carluccio's 93 sites across the UK and Ireland, and the group has served GF pasta since 2008.

It introduced its all-GF menu in 2010, which includes many of the dishes from the usual menu, including the Carluccio's breakfast magnifica with eggs, pancetta, sautéed mushrooms and gluten-free toasted bread; the antipasti verdure to share, also with GF bread; and giardiniera, a GF corn and rice pasta dish with courgette, chilli, Italian cheese and garlic.

Coeliac UK is the national charity for people with coeliac disease, an autoimmune condition, for which the only known alleviation of symptoms is to eat a diet entirely without gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye.

Simon Kossoff, chairman of Carluccio's, commented on the accreditation, saying: "We're proud to be an industry leader in gluten-free dining. We strive to provide our customers with an extensive offering that caters for all tastes and preferences. The gluten-free range is a prime example of how we have responded to a growing demand."

Coeliac UK chief executive Sarah Sleet said: "We know eating out safely is a top concern for people with coeliac disease, who must follow a strict gluten-free diet for life. We are working with the catering industry to help them deliver good quality menu choices for people with coeliac disease and we are delighted Carluccio's is recognising the importance of catering for this market."

Other restaurant chains to have received recognition from Coeliac UK include Ask Italian, and Spanish tapas group La Tasca.

One in 100 people in the UK are said to be officially diagnosed with coeliac disease, with estimates suggesting that only 24% of those affected have actually received official diagnosis.

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