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5MINUTESWITHtommcleod

Tom McLeod
Tom McLeod

Coeliac disease affects approximately one in 70 Australians and is an immune reaction to gluten that damages the small intestine. A lifelong gluten-free diet is currently the only treatment. The president of Coeliac Australia discusses the increasing rates of diagnosis, which may be due to both better awareness and a true rise in cases potentially linked to environmental factors. Independent retailers can help by becoming educated on coeliac disease, stocking gluten-free products with the Coeliac Australia endorsement, and avoiding treating gluten-free options as a fad.

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THE VOICE OF THE AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT RETAILER mar 16 COELIAC AUSTRALIA'S tom mcleod Five Minutes With SALT AND PEPPER AT A PINCH In the Aisles talk Shop TAYLOR ROAD IGA JEWEL OF THE WEST
28 The Australian RETAILER Q & A
Minutes WITH Fivetom mcleod I coeliac disease when the human immune system reacts abnormally to gluten is a serious condition affecting one in 70 australians. with no known cure and the only effective treatment being a controlled diet, it's no wonder gluten-free product categories are surging in popularity. The australian retailer talks to the president of coeliac australia to learn more. The Australian RETAILER 29 Tell us a bit about Coeliac Australia what is its function and its history as an organisation? Coeliac Australia is a national not-for-profit association, comprising five state organisations supporting people with coeliac disease. Coeliac Australia provides a framework for the states to work together, share resources and fulfil its vision: To enhance the quality of life of people with coeliac disease and those medically diagnosed as requiring a gluten-free diet for life and to support research towards a cure or other ethical forms of treatment. The state organisations have been in existence since the mid- 1970s and Coeliac Australia soon thereafter. What is your professional background? My professional background is in governance, risk and audit.I am a chartered accountant. I was previously the head of internal audit at Rio Tinto and before that, the general manager, audit and fraud at SingTel Optus.I am now the co-founder of a boutique governance, risk, audit and fraud prevention consultancy called McLeod Governance. My coeliac background is that I was diagnosed about 13 years ago I was having sharp pains in my stomach that would literally bring me to my knees.It was the inevitable visit to the doctor that started me on the journey to diagnosis.I can still recall the moment of being told I may have coeliac disease (one has a blood test first and then a biopsy) I had only vaguely heard of the disease. The diagnosis and my strict adherence to a gluten-free diet has fundamentally and positively changed my health. Tell us about Coeliac Disease and its implications for those who have it. In people with coeliac disease (pronounced seel-ee-ak and spelt celiac in some countries), the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats), causing small bowel damage. The tiny, finger-like projections which line the bowel (villi) become inflamed and flattened. This is referred to as villous atrophy. Villous atrophy reduces the surface area of the bowel available for nutrient absorption, which can lead to various gastrointestinal and malabsorptivesymptoms. Symptoms can also be caused by inflammation in other parts of the body. Coeliac disease affects people of all ages, both male and female. You must be born with the genetic predisposition to develop coeliac disease. Coeliac disease affects, on average, approximately one in 70 Australians. However, around 80 per cent of this number remain undiagnosed. This means the vast majority of Australians who have coeliac disease dont yet know it. People with coeliac disease remain sensitive to gluten throughout their life, so in this sense there is no cure. However, a strict, gluten-free diet does allow the condition to be managed effectively. A strict, lifelong, gluten-free diet is currently the only recognised president coeliac australia
30 The Australian RETAILER30 The Australian RETAILER medical treatment for coeliac disease. By removing the cause of the disease, a gluten- free diet allows the small bowel lining to heal and symptoms to resolve. As long as the gluten- free diet is strictly adhered to, problems arising from coeliac disease should not return. Relapse occurs if gluten is re-introduced into the diet. There seem to be increasing numbers of people who are being diagnosed with Coeliac Disease why do you think this is? Although better diagnosis rates in recent years can be partially attributed to improved awareness of the condition, there has also been a true increase in the incidence of coeliac disease. The reasoning behind this true increase in a subject of ongoing research and debate. It has been suggested the increase is due to an environmental change, most probably involving the increased prevalence of grain in our diets. Additionally, what is known as the hygiene hypothesis, that is our increasingly (at least compared to previous generations) clean environment reduces the challenges that impact on the developing immune system, thereby making those in that environment more susceptible to immune disorders and allergic diseases. What can independent retailers do to cater for people who are living with Coeliac Disease? As simple as it sounds be educated. There are at least one in 70 Australians affected by coeliac disease with approximately 80 per cent of those affected currently undiagnosed. Extrapolating that across the Australian population it is estimated at least 330,000 people are coeliac.Consequently, we estimate 1.3 million people have a family member who is either a diagnosed or undiagnosed coeliac. Retailers can seek out Coeliac Australia endorsed products, as the coeliac community is very attuned to which products they can and cannot consume. And perhaps finally, dont treat coeliac disease as a fad. Coeliac disease is not a choice, it is a genetic predisposition. Tell us about the Gluten-Free Standard that was developed by Coeliac Australia. The Gluten-Free Standard for Food Service Providers was developed to establish the best practice of gluten-free food preparation.It is compiled of three main principles: Source gluten-free ingredients; Segregation separation throughout preparation to ensure the integrity of the gluten-free ingredients; and Service ensuring the communication lines are open. Q & A
The Australian RETAILER 31 We also have a Gluten-Free Accreditation Program where food service providers are licensed to use our unique gluten-free symbol on menus after successfully meeting the criteria, including an onsite compliance audit against the Gluten-Free Standard. This program highlights to the gluten-free consumer that the business has rigorous procedures in place and enables the consumer to eat with confidence.Alarmingly, a 2015 survey of state Coeliac Australia members reported that only 9 per cent of our members trusted a gluten- free claim on a menu. What criteria does a product have to meet to carry the Coeliac Australia gluten-free logo? TheCoeliac Australia Endorsement Program, utilising the Crossed Grain Logo, is a trademark owned and administered by Coeliac Australia under a licence agreement. The symbol of the crossed grain in a circle is both nationally and internationally recognised by those who need to follow a gluten-free diet. Products that use this logo: Are gluten-free the product must be tested to have no detectable gluten as per theFood Standards Australia New Zealand guidelines for gluten-free; Have multiple ingredients or be a process product; Are subject to laboratory testing every 12 months, and random annual audit testing; Free from oats or malted barley; Packaged and sealed for sale; Supportive of those following a gluten-free diet. Manufacturers who subscribe to the endorsement program are permitted to use the logo on endorsed product packaging and marketing material.Endorsed products have been proven to remove uncertainty and give gluten-free consumers confidence to make safe choices. Do you think there is confusion among retailers and consumers surrounding coeliac disease and gluten-free products, or are people becoming more informed? There is inevitably differing levels of understanding of coeliac disease and gluten-free products but we are seeing a much more informed market than, say, ten years ago. Some of this is driven by the attractiveness of the gluten-free lifestyle; some of it is driven by the greater availability of information on the internet and we constantly get positive feedback that some of this is driven by Coeliac Australia. What do you think is the future for the gluten-free products industry? I read a fascinating article just recently that said the global gluten-free packaged food market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 6 per cent through to 2019. This is, in part, driven by the perception that gluten- free foods are healthier (this is not always the case). In such a growth market it is reasonable to assume that we will see new product innovation. The days of gluten-free products being substandard are fast becoming a distant memory. ...we estimate 1.3 million people have a family member who is either a diagnosed or undiagnosed coeliac. The Australian RETAILER 31 Did you know? a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child) of someone with coeliac disease has about a 10 per cent chance of also having the disease.

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5MINUTESWITHtommcleod

  • 1. THE VOICE OF THE AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT RETAILER mar 16 COELIAC AUSTRALIA'S tom mcleod Five Minutes With SALT AND PEPPER AT A PINCH In the Aisles talk Shop TAYLOR ROAD IGA JEWEL OF THE WEST
  • 2. 28 The Australian RETAILER Q & A
  • 3. Minutes WITH Fivetom mcleod I coeliac disease when the human immune system reacts abnormally to gluten is a serious condition affecting one in 70 australians. with no known cure and the only effective treatment being a controlled diet, it's no wonder gluten-free product categories are surging in popularity. The australian retailer talks to the president of coeliac australia to learn more. The Australian RETAILER 29 Tell us a bit about Coeliac Australia what is its function and its history as an organisation? Coeliac Australia is a national not-for-profit association, comprising five state organisations supporting people with coeliac disease. Coeliac Australia provides a framework for the states to work together, share resources and fulfil its vision: To enhance the quality of life of people with coeliac disease and those medically diagnosed as requiring a gluten-free diet for life and to support research towards a cure or other ethical forms of treatment. The state organisations have been in existence since the mid- 1970s and Coeliac Australia soon thereafter. What is your professional background? My professional background is in governance, risk and audit.I am a chartered accountant. I was previously the head of internal audit at Rio Tinto and before that, the general manager, audit and fraud at SingTel Optus.I am now the co-founder of a boutique governance, risk, audit and fraud prevention consultancy called McLeod Governance. My coeliac background is that I was diagnosed about 13 years ago I was having sharp pains in my stomach that would literally bring me to my knees.It was the inevitable visit to the doctor that started me on the journey to diagnosis.I can still recall the moment of being told I may have coeliac disease (one has a blood test first and then a biopsy) I had only vaguely heard of the disease. The diagnosis and my strict adherence to a gluten-free diet has fundamentally and positively changed my health. Tell us about Coeliac Disease and its implications for those who have it. In people with coeliac disease (pronounced seel-ee-ak and spelt celiac in some countries), the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats), causing small bowel damage. The tiny, finger-like projections which line the bowel (villi) become inflamed and flattened. This is referred to as villous atrophy. Villous atrophy reduces the surface area of the bowel available for nutrient absorption, which can lead to various gastrointestinal and malabsorptivesymptoms. Symptoms can also be caused by inflammation in other parts of the body. Coeliac disease affects people of all ages, both male and female. You must be born with the genetic predisposition to develop coeliac disease. Coeliac disease affects, on average, approximately one in 70 Australians. However, around 80 per cent of this number remain undiagnosed. This means the vast majority of Australians who have coeliac disease dont yet know it. People with coeliac disease remain sensitive to gluten throughout their life, so in this sense there is no cure. However, a strict, gluten-free diet does allow the condition to be managed effectively. A strict, lifelong, gluten-free diet is currently the only recognised president coeliac australia
  • 4. 30 The Australian RETAILER30 The Australian RETAILER medical treatment for coeliac disease. By removing the cause of the disease, a gluten- free diet allows the small bowel lining to heal and symptoms to resolve. As long as the gluten- free diet is strictly adhered to, problems arising from coeliac disease should not return. Relapse occurs if gluten is re-introduced into the diet. There seem to be increasing numbers of people who are being diagnosed with Coeliac Disease why do you think this is? Although better diagnosis rates in recent years can be partially attributed to improved awareness of the condition, there has also been a true increase in the incidence of coeliac disease. The reasoning behind this true increase in a subject of ongoing research and debate. It has been suggested the increase is due to an environmental change, most probably involving the increased prevalence of grain in our diets. Additionally, what is known as the hygiene hypothesis, that is our increasingly (at least compared to previous generations) clean environment reduces the challenges that impact on the developing immune system, thereby making those in that environment more susceptible to immune disorders and allergic diseases. What can independent retailers do to cater for people who are living with Coeliac Disease? As simple as it sounds be educated. There are at least one in 70 Australians affected by coeliac disease with approximately 80 per cent of those affected currently undiagnosed. Extrapolating that across the Australian population it is estimated at least 330,000 people are coeliac.Consequently, we estimate 1.3 million people have a family member who is either a diagnosed or undiagnosed coeliac. Retailers can seek out Coeliac Australia endorsed products, as the coeliac community is very attuned to which products they can and cannot consume. And perhaps finally, dont treat coeliac disease as a fad. Coeliac disease is not a choice, it is a genetic predisposition. Tell us about the Gluten-Free Standard that was developed by Coeliac Australia. The Gluten-Free Standard for Food Service Providers was developed to establish the best practice of gluten-free food preparation.It is compiled of three main principles: Source gluten-free ingredients; Segregation separation throughout preparation to ensure the integrity of the gluten-free ingredients; and Service ensuring the communication lines are open. Q & A
  • 5. The Australian RETAILER 31 We also have a Gluten-Free Accreditation Program where food service providers are licensed to use our unique gluten-free symbol on menus after successfully meeting the criteria, including an onsite compliance audit against the Gluten-Free Standard. This program highlights to the gluten-free consumer that the business has rigorous procedures in place and enables the consumer to eat with confidence.Alarmingly, a 2015 survey of state Coeliac Australia members reported that only 9 per cent of our members trusted a gluten- free claim on a menu. What criteria does a product have to meet to carry the Coeliac Australia gluten-free logo? TheCoeliac Australia Endorsement Program, utilising the Crossed Grain Logo, is a trademark owned and administered by Coeliac Australia under a licence agreement. The symbol of the crossed grain in a circle is both nationally and internationally recognised by those who need to follow a gluten-free diet. Products that use this logo: Are gluten-free the product must be tested to have no detectable gluten as per theFood Standards Australia New Zealand guidelines for gluten-free; Have multiple ingredients or be a process product; Are subject to laboratory testing every 12 months, and random annual audit testing; Free from oats or malted barley; Packaged and sealed for sale; Supportive of those following a gluten-free diet. Manufacturers who subscribe to the endorsement program are permitted to use the logo on endorsed product packaging and marketing material.Endorsed products have been proven to remove uncertainty and give gluten-free consumers confidence to make safe choices. Do you think there is confusion among retailers and consumers surrounding coeliac disease and gluten-free products, or are people becoming more informed? There is inevitably differing levels of understanding of coeliac disease and gluten-free products but we are seeing a much more informed market than, say, ten years ago. Some of this is driven by the attractiveness of the gluten-free lifestyle; some of it is driven by the greater availability of information on the internet and we constantly get positive feedback that some of this is driven by Coeliac Australia. What do you think is the future for the gluten-free products industry? I read a fascinating article just recently that said the global gluten-free packaged food market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 6 per cent through to 2019. This is, in part, driven by the perception that gluten- free foods are healthier (this is not always the case). In such a growth market it is reasonable to assume that we will see new product innovation. The days of gluten-free products being substandard are fast becoming a distant memory. ...we estimate 1.3 million people have a family member who is either a diagnosed or undiagnosed coeliac. The Australian RETAILER 31 Did you know? a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child) of someone with coeliac disease has about a 10 per cent chance of also having the disease.