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How to Read Food Labels (EU) – A Simple Guide for Coeliacs

How to Read Food Labels (EU) – A Simple Guide for Coeliacs

Reading labels is the most important tool for a safe gluten-free diet. In the EU, clear rules apply, enabling you to quickly determine whether a product is suitable for people with coeliac disease with a few simple steps. This guide shows you how.

Reading labels is the most important tool for a safe gluten-free diet. In the EU, clear rules apply, enabling you to quickly determine whether a product is suitable for people with coeliac disease with a few simple steps. This guide shows you how.

Reading labels is the most important tool for a safe gluten-free diet. In the EU, clear rules apply, enabling you to quickly determine whether a product is suitable for people with coeliac disease with a few simple steps. This guide shows you how.

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Step 1: Check the list of ingredients

Always start with a list of ingredients.

The product is not suitable if it contains any of the following ingredients:

  • wheat

  • barley

  • rye

  • spelt

  • kamut

  • oats (except specially marked gluten-free oats)


Also be attentive to ingredients such as:

  • barley malt

  • wheat starch

  • other ingredient that clearly contain gluten


If the product does not contain any of the above ingredients, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Check allergens


In the European Union, all allergens must be clearly indicated, usually in bold or otherwise highlighted text.


Important:

  • gluten must always be listed if present

  • it cannot be hidden behind E-numbers or generic terms


If gluten is listed among the allergens, the product is not suitable.
If gluten is not mentioned, proceed.

Step 3: Check trace warning


Some products contain a warning about possible cross-contamination, such as:


  • may contain traces of gluten

  • may contain gluten


Such a warning means that the risk could not be excluded.

If the warning exists, the product is not recommended for people with coeliac disease.
If there is no warning, proceed.

Step 4: The ‘gluten-free’ label is not mandatory


It is important to understand that the ‘gluten-free’ label:

  • is not mandatory for naturally gluten-free foods

  • its absence does not mean the product is unsafe


If the product:

  • does not contain gluten-containing ingredients

  • does not have gluten listed among allergens

  • does not have a trace warning for gluten


it is considered suitable for coeliacs under EU law, even without the ‘gluten-free’ label.

What is worth remembering


Food labels are legally binding documents.


In the European Union, there is a clear rule: if it is not stated, it must not be present.


The fear of 'hidden gluten' in E-numbers, fruit purees or basic foods is unfounded if the label does not support this.

Knowledge of the rules provides more safety, more choice and less unnecessary fear during everyday shopping.