Latest news with #CoeliacUK
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Major food brand urgently recalls popular snack over health risk as customers warned ‘do not eat'
Customers have been advised to return the item to the store they purchased it from HIGH ALERT Major food brand urgently recalls popular snack over health risk as customers warned 'do not eat' AN URGENT recall has been issued as a popular snack is pulled from the shelves over health risks. Customers have been warned "do no eat" due to wheat, or gluten, not being included on the ingredients label. THG Nutrition Limited is recalling the Myprotein Gooey Filled Cookie, Double Chocolate & Caramel. The product is a possible health risk for anyone with coeliac disease, and/or an allergy or intolerance to wheat or gluten. Shoppers have been warned the 75g packets and the 12 box of 75g packs have been recalled. All batch codes are affected and the best before date to look out for is June 17 2025 to July 16 2026. If you have bought the affected product and have coeliac disease, and/or an allergy or intolerance to wheat or gluten, do not eat it. Customers have been advised to return the item to the store they purchased it from. For more information, please telephone 0800 260 6946, Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm or email qualityassurance@ Despite being food-related, coeliac disease is not an allergy or intolerance; it's an autoimmune condition caused by a reaction to gluten. When eaten, the immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, which damages the gut so the body can't properly take in nutrients. The NHS says this can cause a range of gut symptoms, including: Diarrhoea (which may smell particularly unpleasant) Stomach aches or cramps Bloating Farting Indigestion Constipation Vomiting But symptoms can also be more general. According to Coeliac UK, some people experience: Tiredness (as a result of malnutrition) Unintentional weight loss An itchy rash Infertility Nerve damage Co-ordination, balance and speech problems Mouth ulcers Tooth enamel problems Liver abnormalities Repeated miscarriages Anaemia Any combination of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency Because symptoms are vague, they are often dismissed as minor inconveniences. And even when presented to doctors, one in four people are misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, according to Coeliac UK. The average length of time taken for an adult to be diagnosed with from the onset of symptoms is a staggering 13 years. It means the average age to discover you have the condition is 40 to 60. Your product recall rights Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item 1 Customers have been warned "do no eat" due to wheat, or gluten, not being included on the ingredients label More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Major food brand urgently recalls popular snack over health risk as customers warned ‘do not eat'
AN URGENT recall has been issued as a popular snack is pulled from the shelves over health risks. Customers have been warned "do no eat" due to wheat, or gluten, not being included on the ingredients label. Advertisement THG Nutrition Limited is recalling the Myprotein Gooey Filled Cookie, Double Chocolate & Caramel. The product is a possible health risk for anyone with Shoppers have been warned the 75g packets and the 12 box of 75g packs have been recalled. All batch codes are affected and the best before date to look out for is June 17 2025 to July 16 2026. Advertisement Read More If you have bought the affected product and have coeliac disease, and/or an allergy or intolerance to wheat or gluten, do not eat it. Customers have been advised to return the item to the store they purchased it from. For more information, please telephone 0800 260 6946, Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm or email qualityassurance@ Despite being food-related, coeliac disease is not an allergy or intolerance; it's an autoimmune condition caused by a reaction to gluten. Advertisement Most read in The Sun When eaten, the immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, which damages the gut so the body can't properly take in nutrients. The NHS says this can cause a range of gut symptoms, including: Constipation Vomiting But symptoms can also be more general. According to Coeliac UK, some people experience: Tiredness (as a result of malnutrition) Unintentional weight loss An itchy rash Infertility Nerve damage Co-ordination, balance and speech problems Mouth ulcers Tooth enamel problems Liver abnormalities Repeated miscarriages Any combination of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency Because symptoms are vague, they are often dismissed as minor inconveniences. Advertisement And even when presented to doctors, one in four people are misdiagnosed with The average length of time taken for an adult to be diagnosed with from the onset of symptoms is a staggering 13 years. It means the average age to discover you have the condition is 40 to 60. Your product recall rights Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item 1 Customers have been warned "do no eat" due to wheat, or gluten, not being included on the ingredients label Advertisement More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
I have coeliac disease – here's what no one tells you about going gluten-free
Aimee Vivian is used to being the "gluten-free friend," having been diagnosed with coeliac disease 10 years ago. In fact, she's more than okay with her pals "taking the mickey" out of her because of her dietary requirements, and has found this to be a great help in adjusting to her new way of life. But it hasn't always been easy for her. While the Capital FM presenter eventually received her diagnosis in 2015, through a simple blood test at her GP's office, it was a long time coming. Vivian explains to Yahoo UK: "No exaggeration, I had been in and out of hospital for 10 years prior, having a whole range of tests and surgeries to try and investigate what was going on. That is partly one of the biggest problems with coeliac disease; the symptoms that you can get are often symptoms you can get with a whole range of other medical problems – and they can also sort of mask each other. "For example, when I was 15 years old, I would get really bad periods, and so the doctor automatically put me on the pill and hoped that that would sort it out. And, you know, I sort of managed and plodded along – even though I was still uncomfortable and things kept happening that didn't feel right. I would get a very bad tummy, I would be very bloated and feel a lot of discomfort." The turning point, which then led to her diagnosis, was when she ordered a Domino's Pizza after a night out at university. "The next day I was feeling very, very poorly, thinking, 'Oh, I thought that was supposed to make me feel better [on a hangover]'. I gradually realised that when I ate bread it became worse, but even then, it still took another three years after that point to get them to do the test on me." According to Coeliac UK, the genetic autoimmune disease triggered by gluten affects one in 100 people – but only 36% are correctly diagnosed. A further estimated half a million in the UK are currently undiagnosed, and one in four people with coeliac disease have previously been misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Symptoms vary in type and severity, depending on the individual, but typically include bloating, diarrhoea, nausea, constipation, fatigue, headaches, mouth ulcers and sometimes unexpected weight loss. In more extreme cases, coeliac disease can lead to malnutrition and dermatitis herpetiformis (an itchy rash with blisters) – it can even impact fertility and cause nerve damage. It's for this reason that Vivian gets frustrated when people conflate coeliac disease with gluten intolerance or a gluten-free diet. "It's not a lifestyle choice," she says. "The smallest crumb can cause all sorts of problems for those who have coeliac disease, and can cause damage to the gut lining even in those who are asymptomatic." One of the main obstacles she faced when first diagnosed was navigating eating out at restaurants. "You go to restaurants and see gluten-free chips on the menu and you get really excited – you're like 'Yes! I can eat chips!' But then you ask if they've been cooked in a separate fryer and they say no, meaning if you're coeliac you can't have them." At first, advocating for herself and speaking up when out and about used to daunt Aimee, but then she soon "learnt to use my voice a lot more." She continues: "I am not afraid when I go out to a restaurant to ask a million questions – and I will repeat myself. I will say 'so is it definitely gluten-free?', 'Is it definitely cooked in a separate fryer?' And when the meal arrives, I will ask another time, 'Is it definitely gluten-free?' "And if I'm not confident, I will double-check or, I will not eat the meal. I think that is the main thing you learn over time: to become more confident with your voice. For me, I'd much rather ask the questions than risk having a reaction and making myself poorly." Doing the weekly food shop – when Vivian has far greater control about the food she is getting – is no walk in the park either. "I live in a little village, so we don't even have a big shop and the local store doesn't have much. Even at the supermarket though, there's not always loads of choices and, of course, there's a surcharge – let's call it that, because that's what it is. "A pack of wheat pasta would cost you around 75p, whereas a free-from pack would be more like £2.75. It is heavily inflated and, especially right now, during a cost-of-living crisis, it adds a hell of a lot to the weekly shop. "It's even harder for families," Vivian continues. "Then there's things like kid's parties – how do you tell a six year old 'no, sorry, you can't eat cake'? Even if you bought a gluten-free alternative, it's so expensive – then most of the time the finger food and buffet is full of wheat, etc. It not only means they're missing out, it further creates this sense of 'I'm different'." When it comes to the best supermarkets and brands for gluten-free options, Vivian says that both Tesco and Morrisons are her favourites, and that Aldi has just launched a free-from range – which is not only more budget-friendly, but seems to include healthier options. "I don't know why, but when they take the gluten out, places seem to add all sorts of other things in," she comments. Her husband has also been really supportive throughout their relationship. "At first he didn't realise how much I needed to consider as a coeliac – not in a rude way, but because he'd never experienced it before. You know, things like separate chopping boards, fryers, etc. Then he began Googling restaurants and checking that they were gluten-free and coeliac safe. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aimee Vivian (@aimeevivian) "The further we got in our relationship, it was really nice, because for once, it wasn't always me who had to speak up and ask questions. He took a lot of the burden off me." Vivian has also found helpful resources online, such as curated Google Maps that tell you where is coeliac safe when abroad – she even compiled her own earlier this year during a trip to New York City. Elsewhere, there are gluten-free influencers she likes to follow, such as Sarah Howells, Morgan Moore and Alice Wiggins, and she creates her own videos for followers about where to shop and how to cook when following a strict gluten-free diet. Whether others suspect they have coeliac disease or they have just been diagnosed, Vivian stresses the importance of advocating for yourself, because you know your body and it's not always a straight-forward journey – as she can attest to. "If you think that you've got it, go to the GP, get the blood test. Say, 'I know I can ask for it' and get the coeliac blood test specifically. You will know, because you will learn your own symptoms and triggers." She also encourages those with coeliac disease to speak up and ask questions. Her final pearl of wisdom? "Pack snacks," Vivian laughs. "I mean, everyone should always pack snacks, but if you're worried about food options or not being able to eat, go prepared – I mean, I took a lunchbox to a wedding." You can learn more about coeliac disease at Coeliac UK or the NHS website. You can also get a test via your GP. Read more about diet and nutrition: 5 ways to do the Mediterranean diet for less (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read) Six health benefits of asparagus (and why it makes your wee smell) (Yahoo Life UK, 3-min read) 13 high-protein breakfasts to eat as cereals fall out of favour among Brits (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)
The Independent
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
I've just been diagnosed with the same disease as 1 in 100 people – but I've never felt lonelier
I returned from a blissful holiday a couple of months ago to several missed calls from my doctor and a message to call my surgery urgently. 'We've had the results back from your latest blood tests, and it appears you have coeliac disease,' my GP told me, as I returned to reality with a huge bump. He was almost gleeful that he had finally figured out the core reason for the fatigue and other bizarre symptoms which had been plaguing me for months. As I have two friends with the condition, I thought I was fairly knowledgeable about coeliac disease. According to charity Coeliac UK, 1 in 100 people are estimated to have it, albeit more than a third of those are thought to be undiagnosed. Team GB Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington also recently spoke out about her diagnosis. But as a whirlwind of medical testing, scans and adjusting to a life-long restrictive diet followed, I started to feel more and more alone. Coeliac disease is where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues when gluten is eaten – which is present in wheat, barley and rye – and prevents normal digestion and absorption of food. There are dozens of symptoms, including fatigue, stomach pain, nausea, anaemia and neurological issues like 'brain fog'. And if the condition is not managed, it can cause serious health complications, including malabsorption, osteoporosis, infertility and even certain types of cancer. There is no medication, and the only treatment for coeliac disease is adhering to a strictly gluten-free diet and avoiding cross-contamination with foods which contain gluten. One of the biggest misconceptions about the disease is that 'it's just a food allergy', but it actually leads to long-term damage to the gut. That's why it's crucial for sufferers to avoid eating even a crumb of gluten. But, if managed correctly, sufferers can lead a healthy, symptom-free life. In recent weeks, when revealing my diagnosis out of both choice and necessity, I received comments such as: 'So can't you have a tiny bit of gluten occasionally?', 'Can you just try one?' and shockingly, even: 'If I was diagnosed with that, I don't think my life would be worth living anymore.' This is a medical condition – not a lifestyle choice. People's lack of understanding, combined with a struggle to find restaurants which will cater properly for gluten-free diets, left me feeling increasingly isolated. Until my diagnosis, I didn't realise gluten-free products aren't truly safe unless they have been prepared and cooked in a contamination-free environment. For example, they can't be fried in oil also used to cook gluten-containing items. I'm a very social person and having to check restaurant menus whenever I'm invited anywhere, insisting on specific catering for hen parties, weddings and events over the summer, and requesting my partner to have a kitchen free from gluten has left me feeling like a burden and takes up a lot of energy. Facing supermarkets remains my biggest personal challenge, where I feel self-conscious about having to check the label of almost everything I pick up, and I am always horrified at the increased cost of my shop when I reach the checkout. It's not always as bad as I make out. I will soon adapt to the life changes, and I have an amazing support network in my family, friends and partner. There are definitely more options available than a decade or 20 years ago, with gluten-free bread and pasta much improved – and I've managed to find some amazing communities online which offer support, advice, and healthy recipe options. But following my diagnosis, I was shocked to discover that prescriptions for gluten-free staple foods, such as bread and flour, are only available depending on where in the country you live. Research by Coeliac UK last year found people with the condition are paying up to 35 per cent more for their weekly food shop, particularly in light of the cost of living crisis. I'm in a relatively privileged position when it comes to managing my health, as I can afford the more expensive free-from products, and I live in London, where there is a much wider range of options for restaurants and supermarkets than in other smaller towns. But for many, that's not the case. And even those who have access to free prescriptions may not benefit if gluten-free food is not available on prescription in their area. This may lead to people eating food which contains gluten for cost reasons, leaving them open to short- and long-term health problems, and adding further pressure to an already-overstretched NHS. Earlier this year, a petition signed by 22,000 people was brought to Downing Street calling for an end to the postcode lottery on gluten-free prescriptions. And to mark Coeliac Awareness Month this May, Coeliac UK is encouraging people to take its online self-assessment to check their symptoms and spread knowledge about the disease. The more people who are correctly diagnosed means those with coeliac disease are more likely to be recognised and catered for, and fewer of us are likely to feel alone.
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Rebecca Adlington says miscarriage ordeal resulted in life-changing diagnosis
Former Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington has opened up about the moment she got a "life changing" diagnosis for an autoimmune condition that affects one in 10 people Olympic swimming star Rebecca Adlington wishes she had asked her doctors to test her for coeliac disease sooner. But her story, which she is sharing this Coeliac Awareness Month, is by no means unusual. With just 36% of people with coeliac disease medically diagnosed in the UK, an estimated 500,000 people will be living with unexplained and often debilitating symptoms. It was only in October last year, aged 35, Rebecca was finally diagnosed with the chronic autoimmune condition that causes the body to react to gluten in the diet. The four-time Olympic medal-winning swimmer describes it as 'life changing', after years of upset. "As I have had multiple pregnancies, I put a lot of symptoms down to hormonal changes,' she explains. 'I suffered with stomach pain, fatigue, mouth ulcers, bloating, and constantly felt run down or ill. The tiredness affected both my personal and professional life as I didn't feel as productive or have enough energy like other people. 'Meanwhile, the mouth ulcers affected my diet as I struggled to eat sometimes as they were so painful and so many. The stomach pain was persistent. I also experienced two miscarriages and whilst my doctor couldn't pinpoint the cause, this and my stomach pain ultimately led to me being tested for coeliac disease and subsequently diagnosed.' She adds: 'If you are experiencing ongoing symptoms or issues like I had, just ask the doctor for a test. I never even thought I might have coeliac disease but I wish I had asked my doctors to test me sooner.' For this year's Coeliac Awareness Month, running throughout May, Coeliac UK is urging the public to ask their GP: 'Is it coeliac disease?' and take the charity's free online self-assessment tool to calculate their risk. People can check if they are experiencing common symptoms and, if so, it is recommended they ask for testing for the condition. But it's important to not remove gluten from your diet until you have a blood test – and possibly a biopsy – to confirm it, as this risks a potential false negative result. Coeliac disease is a serious autoimmune condition affecting one in 100 people in the UK – yet it remains hard to diagnose. When someone with coeliac disease eats gluten, their body attacks its own tissues, causing damage to the gut and leading to serious health complications if left untreated. The only treatment is a lifelong, strict, gluten-free diet. Symptoms of coeliac disease can be recurrent, persistent or unexplained. They may include, but are not limited to, fatigue, stomach pain, anaemia, and neurological issues, such as loss of balance, brain fog and neuropathy – numbness and tingling in the body. What foods contain gluten? Foodstuffs such as flour, bread, pasta, cereals, cakes and biscuits contain gluten. But it can also be found in miniscule amounts in stock cubes, soy sauce, gravy and chocolate. A tiny amount of gluten can cause symptoms, so it's vital that coeliac sufferers avoid cross-contamination. 'Sources of contamination include breadcrumbs in toasters and on bread boards, utensils used for spreading and spooning jam and butter, and from cooking oil and water,' says Coeliac UK. Now mum-of-two Rebecca is on a strict gluten-free diet, she has seen vast improvements in her health and wellbeing. 'Since removing gluten, I feel significantly better. My mood, my energy – everything is better. I am not in pain any more. I am able to exercise more as I feel better. 'To achieve a balanced diet, I eat things that naturally don't have gluten, like rice and potatoes, but also rely on gluten-free substitutes for items like bread and flour, but these are so much more expensive. Shopping takes longer as you have to examine every label and ingredient to make sure it doesn't contain gluten. I had lots of people recommend Coeliac UK to me when I announced my diagnosis on social media. I found their support and information so helpful when adjusting to living on a strict gluten-free diet.' Hilary Croft, Coeliac UK CEO, says: 'For those battling with unexplained symptoms, a coeliac disease diagnosis can be life changing. Our campaign aims to increase awareness of coeliac disease and we aim to reach the estimated half a million people living with the symptoms of undiagnosed coeliac disease to help guide them on the road to recovery. At Coeliac UK, we're here to help with advice and information for anyone who suspects they might have coeliac disease as well as those looking for ongoing support.' The Coeliac Awareness Month campaign looks at raising awareness of coeliac disease by sharing real stories and empowering those affected by it to recognise symptoms, complete its online self-assessment, and take the first step on the road to recovery. What is coeliac disease? Caused by a reaction to gluten in the body, coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition – not an allergy or intolerance. When sufferers eat gluten – a protein found in the grains wheat, barley and rye – the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues in the gut, damaging the lining and making it harder for the body to absorb nutrients. This can lead to chronic inflammation, discomfort and long-term gut damage. Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach ache, bloating, indigestion, constipation, wind and vomiting. Some people will also experience tiredness, weight loss, rashes, infertility and speech issues, as well as problems with their balance. Bizarrely, some people don't get any symptoms, but still suffer damage to their guts. Because symptoms are so diverse, diagnosis can be difficult and one in four coeliacs are initially diagnosed with IBS. The average length of time to be diagnosed from the onset of symptoms is 13 years, commonly aged between 40 and 60. There is no cure but it can be managed by permanently removing gluten from the diet, clearing symptoms within a couple of months although it can take up to five years for the gut to heal. TV presenter Jameela Jamil and Men Behaving Badly's Caroline Quentin have spoken about living with the condition.
