Coeliac Australia accredits first completely gluten free café
A Melbourne café is the first completely gluten free café to be accredited by Coeliac Australia.
The café is also the first gluten free business accredited by Coeliac Australia to join UberEATS.
The Brunswick located café, ‘Café Henkel’, had to meet stringent accreditation requirements that included an on-site audit, staff training and laboratory testing of menu items.
Part-owner of Café Henkel, Maria Stamelos, said the accreditation gives customers confidence in their gluten free food.
“Even though our food is prepared in a 100 per cent gluten free environment, we want our customers – especially those with coeliac disease – to know we really understand best practice for gluten free food preparation,” Stamelos said.
Since opening in May 2017, customers have travelled from across Victoria to eat at the gluten free café, which also offers dairy free, soy free, vegan and low FODMAP foods.
In a statement, Coeliac Australia said eating out is one of the biggest challenges faced by people with coeliac disease.
“Coeliac Australia has developed resources to help restaurants, cafes and caterers prepare meals that are free from gluten,” said Michael Bell, Coeliac Australia President.
“We’re urging the hospitality industry to embrace our food service programs and help people with coeliac disease dine out with confidence.”
According to Coeliac Australia, one in 70 Australians have coeliac disease, but 80 per cent are undiagnosed.
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