Latest news with #CoeliacUK
Metro
2 days ago
- Business
- Metro
Buying gluten free costs me hundreds of pounds - it's not my fault
I remember the day my mother finally found me a gluten-free loaf of bread that was actually enjoyable to eat. I practically cried happy tears, until she told me it cost her £9. It was from a specialist gluten-free bakery, and sadly that eye-watering total meant it wouldn't be something I could ever justify buying. Instead, I settle for a £3.50 loaf of Warburtons gluten-free in my weekly shop, which is still a whole £2.20 more expensive than its gluten equivalent. The price feels like a punishment for having to eat gluten-free, even though it's a medical necessity for me – I'm coeliac, after all. It's an autoimmune disease which means my body attacks itself if I have even a trace of gluten, and I've been free-from ever since being diagnosed seven years ago. Despite this, retailers and manufacturers inflate the price drastically on gluten free products, which means my weekly shop is more expensive than a regular one – Coeliac UK estimates gluten free shopping adds 35% to the overall cost. So you can imagine my excitement when I realised that pre-paid cash cards were being offered by the government to help cover the cost of these items. That excitement was short-lived, however, when I read the fine print. Firstly, it's only the Welsh government offering this financial support, and there are no whispers of it being introduced in other UK nations. Secondly, the amount offered on these pre-paid cards (which look like regular bank cards) in the five year pilot scheme varied from person to person, and while they are regularly reviewed, one woman reportedly ended up receiving just £14 a month to help with the cost of gluten-free food. Just two loaves of the gluten-free bread I buy cost half that – so it's not exactly life-changing. The cheapest gluten-free loaf of bread is 6.1 times more expensive than the cheapest gluten containing loaf, according to Coeliac UK. Did I mention these loaves often come with giant air holes in them – and they're much smaller, too? You spend more to get less – it's infuriating. The card is a great idea in theory, it just needs to have an amount of money on it that will actually cover your gluten free expenses. In an ideal world, brands wouldn't charge a premium for a smaller product either, but that's me living in dreamland. Other food manufacturers should also make an effort to label their product as gluten free, even if it's not specifically made with coeliacs in mind (as long as there's no risk of contamination). I'm thinking about sausages which can sometimes be accidentally gluten free or crisps, so we don't have to pay a surcharge for more expensive brands. While I may be on an average UK salary, those who are lower earners or who are feeding gluten-free families are hit even harder. People have suggested I cut out bread altogether, but if I do, my iron and calcium intake could decrease by 96% and 93% respectively. It's just not healthy for me to do so. These cash cards aren't even guaranteed to be accepted either, with the Welsh Government saying that it will work in places that sell gluten-free food, like supermarkets, shops, pharmacies and online stores – but that's not guaranteed, and gluten-free purchases have to be bought separately. If you're in-the-know about coeliac disease you might also say I should rely on the gluten-free NHS subscriptions instead. England only has bread and flour available on prescription, and you still have to pay for the item if you aren't entitled to free prescriptions. So you'll pay one lump sum of £9.65 for multiple loaves of bread. What's more is coeliacs will be forced to choose between the new card scheme or their prescription. Having both is sadly not an option. But in my experience, products provided on the prescriptions are simply usually cheaper brands – with bread, for example, that tastes like cardboard. Prescriptions are also a postcode lottery: a number of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) including the CCG that covers my borough of Kingston Upon Thames, have withdrawn or restricted access to gluten-free food on prescription, which means many people have to buy all of the gluten-free products they eat. My monthly spend on gluten-free food typically comes to a minimum of £20 and that's purely for bread, pasta, a singular bag of chips for emergency meals, and two boxes of cereal. That's not including any breakfast bars, chocolate or biscuits – and if I forget lunch and have to buy a ready meal, it's £4.50 a pop, minimum. Supermarket sandwiches are almost always more expensive than their non-coeliac friendly alternatives too. Even if pre-paid cards come to England, they aren't going to make much of a dent of what gluten-free people have to fork out each month, just so they can eat food that won't destroy their bodies. More Trending So, this pre-paid cash card is sadly nothing more than a drop in the ocean when it comes to the struggles of coeliacs, and governments across the UK need to do more. We need sufficient financial support, which I'm not hopeful will ever happen, but for me, around £30 a month would make it more bearable. And for those who live with others, the subsidy needs to be enough to cover gluten free products for the entire household, to keep contamination to a minimum. I shouldn't be financially penalised because I lost the genetic lottery, and neither should the 670,000 other diagnosed coeliacs in the UK, but we are dreading the food bill every month. View More » And £14 won't change that. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: The Bend It Like Beckham sequel needs to be gay as hell MORE: The 100-word emergency alert message being sent to millions of phones in weeks MORE: A stranger's rude question left me in fear of one word Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
People who can't eat gluten given prepaid cash cards in UK first
People in Wales who cannot eat gluten will soon be able to use prepaid cards to purchase specialised food, the Welsh government announced today. The cards, which will be rolled out in a UK-first this autumn after a trial, will be topped up every three months and the amount for each patient will vary. The scheme aims to give people with conditions such as coeliac disease access to a bigger range of gluten-free food, and allow them to avoid relying on pharmacy prescriptions. Cherylee Barker, 54, who was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2007 and took part in the trial, said she got £14 a month on her card as part of the scheme, which she told the BBC only "scratches the surface of the cost". Coeliac disease is a serious autoimmune illness in which the body's immune system attacks its tissue when gluten is consumed. It affects one in 100 people. The Welsh cabinet secretary for health and social care, Jeremy Miles, said: 'For people living with coeliac disease, following a strict gluten-free diet is not a lifestyle choice but a medical necessity.' Miles said they want to demedicalise Wales' gluten-free food supply and give people more options. He said it will also help cut the current administrative burdens on GPs and pharmacies, and promote NHS resources. Its users will have to pay for gluten-containing food separately to ensure it is being used legitimately. Tristan Humphreys from, Coeliac UK, said: 'For those living with coeliac disease, basic gluten-free products are on average more than double their gluten-containing counterparts. 'This scheme offers an empowering, practical alternative for patients, and we know the coeliac community in Wales will be encouraged by this flexible new support option.'
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Wales to roll out subsidy cards to help reduce cost of gluten-free food
People with coeliac disease and gluten intolerance in Wales will be eligible for a pre-paid card designed to help towards the cost of specialised foods. The debit-style subsidy cards will be rolled out in a UK-first this autumn, the Welsh government said on Friday. The scheme aims is to give people with conditions such as coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis access to a wider range of gluten-free food at supermarkets and online, rather than relying on prescriptions from a pharmacy. Money will be added to cards every three months and amount for patients will vary and be regularly new system is expected to be 'cost neutral', the Welsh government said in a statement. The Welsh cabinet secretary for health and social care, Jeremy Miles, said: 'For people living with coeliac disease, following a strict gluten-free diet is not a lifestyle choice but a medical necessity. 'The scheme will contribute to reducing administrative burdens on GPs and pharmacies, while promoting a more effective use of NHS resources.' About one in 100 people in the UK have coeliac disease, but only 36% with the condition in Wales have been medically diagnosed, according to charity Coeliac UK. The disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, that causes the body to attack its own tissues and an impaired uptake in nutrients. Symptoms include bloating, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, and ulcers. In serious cases, it can lead to osteoporosis, nerve problems, infertility, and small bowel cancer. The only treatment for the chronic condition is a strictly gluten-free diet, which Coeliac UK says can add up to 35% to food bills. The new card scheme was tested over five years by the Hywel Dda University Health Board, which covers Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire. Cherylee Barker, 54, from Narbeth in Pembrokeshire, took part in the pilot and was given £42 every three months towards the cost of gluten-free foods. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'I was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2007 and quickly realised that maintaining a gluten-free diet would be costly, with limited shopping options and hit-and-miss food choices,' she said. 'I jumped at the chance to join the pilot. I could try new products without feeling financially stretched and take back control of my diet. The card empowers me to buy the food I want and make better lifestyle choices.' People in Wales who receive gluten-free food on prescription will have the option to continuing with the old system, similar to that in place in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Cash cards to pay for gluten-free food in UK first
People in Wales who cannot eat gluten will be given debit-style cards preloaded with money to help pay for their food. The UK-first move, which begins later this year, will be an alternative to the current system where those with conditions such as coeliac disease - which affects about one in 100 people - get food on prescription from the pharmacy. Coeliac Cherylee Barker, 54, from Narberth, Pembrokeshire, took part in a pilot scheme and got £14 a month, which she said "scratches the surface of the cost". A Coeliac UK report said a gluten free diet added 35% to food bills and Health Minister Jeremy Miles said the Welsh government wanted to "de-medicalise the supply of gluten-free foods". The new card will work like a chip and Pin bank card and be taken in most places that sell gluten-free food, including supermarkets, shops, community pharmacies and online stores, according to the Welsh government. It would not say how much people will be given - just that it will vary by person and be regularly reviewed - or how much would be spent on the scheme. Ministers anticipate it will be "cost neutral" and not add any more to the NHS budget. The prescription model will still be available in Wales, which is similar to schemes in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. High cost of gluten-free food labelled 'unfair' Call for better coeliac care after Weetabix death Coeliac patients may lose gluten-free prescription Those with coeliac disease cannot eat gluten as their immune system attacks their own tissues and their body cannot properly take in nutrients. It results in symptoms including bloating, vomiting and diarrhoea. There is also an added cost . with gluten-free food more expensive Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons, the four leading supermarkets. The average price of a own brand loaf of bread was 63p, compared with £2.26 for a gluten-free equivalent. Supermarket penne pasta averaged 56p per 500g whereas the lowest gluten-free option averaged £1.22. Ms Barker has been part of the pilot scheme in the Hywel Dda health board area for the past five years. She gets £42 every three months, which equates to £14 a month, and described the previous prescription system as "slightly embarrassing" and the food "not that edible". She said: "I didn't want to take the money from the NHS. I thought 'just suck it up and see' but after a little while I just found it was just becoming more and more expensive. "It isn't a lifestyle choice, it is a need." Despite saying the card was "fantastic" she said the amount she got was only "scratching the surface" of rising costs for everybody, especially coeliacs. Bethan Williams, 24, from Cardiff, said prescriptions did not work for her as the food was low quality. As a vegetarian, she said the cash cards could give people with additional dietary needs the freedom to make healthy choices. "I am in a good position that I can afford the higher quality bread but that is not the case for all people," she said. "Eating food and being able to eat a balanced diet isn't a privilege, it's something everyone should be entitled to." For businesses such as Plumvanilla Cafe and deli in Narberth, which accepts the cash card, making sure they can serve the community's needs is becoming more necessary. Gemma Beere, who works at the cafe, said: "We've noticed more and more people shopping with gluten-free requirements so we like to keep a big stock." But she added it was a challenge balancing stocking the shelves with the high cost items and making sure nothing goes to waste. Miles said the move would cut "administrative burdens on GPs and pharmacies". He added: "For people living with coeliac disease, following a strict gluten-free diet is not a lifestyle choice but a medical necessity. "We want to de-medicalise the supply of gluten-free foods in Wales, giving people more freedom to access the food they want to eat, more conveniently, to help them to manage their condition." Tristen Humphreys from Coeliac UK said: "We need to recognise that a gluten-free diet is the treatment for coeliac disease, it's a serious autoimmune disease not a lifestyle choice – we want that recognised." He added supporting people's diets would help prevent health complications down the line and was "cost efficient" for the NHS and called on other UK nations to follow suit. Additional reporting by Sara Dafydd
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Cash cards to pay for gluten-free food in UK first
People in Wales who cannot eat gluten will be given debit-style cards preloaded with money to help pay for their food. The UK-first move, which begins later this year, will be an alternative to the current system where those with conditions such as coeliac disease - which affects about one in 100 people - get food on prescription from the pharmacy. Coeliac Cherylee Barker, 54, from Narberth, Pembrokeshire, took part in a pilot scheme and got £14 a month, which she said "scratches the surface of the cost". A Coeliac UK report said a gluten free diet added 35% to food bills and Health Minister Jeremy Miles said the Welsh government wanted to "de-medicalise the supply of gluten-free foods". The new card will work like a chip and Pin bank card and be taken in most places that sell gluten-free food, including supermarkets, shops, community pharmacies and online stores, according to the Welsh government. It would not say how much people will be given - just that it will vary by person and be regularly reviewed - or how much would be spent on the scheme. Ministers anticipate it will be "cost neutral" and not add any more to the NHS budget. The prescription model will still be available in Wales, which is similar to schemes in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. High cost of gluten-free food labelled 'unfair' Call for better coeliac care after Weetabix death Coeliac patients may lose gluten-free prescription Those with coeliac disease cannot eat gluten as their immune system attacks their own tissues and their body cannot properly take in nutrients. It results in symptoms including bloating, vomiting and diarrhoea. There is also an added cost . with gluten-free food more expensive Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons, the four leading supermarkets. The average price of a own brand loaf of bread was 63p, compared with £2.26 for a gluten-free equivalent. Supermarket penne pasta averaged 56p per 500g whereas the lowest gluten-free option averaged £1.22. Ms Barker has been part of the pilot scheme in the Hywel Dda health board area for the past five years. She gets £42 every three months, which equates to £14 a month, and described the previous prescription system as "slightly embarrassing" and the food "not that edible". She said: "I didn't want to take the money from the NHS. I thought 'just suck it up and see' but after a little while I just found it was just becoming more and more expensive. "It isn't a lifestyle choice, it is a need." Despite saying the card was "fantastic" she said the amount she got was only "scratching the surface" of rising costs for everybody, especially coeliacs. Bethan Williams, 24, from Cardiff, said prescriptions did not work for her as the food was low quality. As a vegetarian, she said the cash cards could give people with additional dietary needs the freedom to make healthy choices. "I am in a good position that I can afford the higher quality bread but that is not the case for all people," she said. "Eating food and being able to eat a balanced diet isn't a privilege, it's something everyone should be entitled to." For businesses such as Plumvanilla Cafe and deli in Narberth, which accepts the cash card, making sure they can serve the community's needs is becoming more necessary. Gemma Beere, who works at the cafe, said: "We've noticed more and more people shopping with gluten-free requirements so we like to keep a big stock." But she added it was a challenge balancing stocking the shelves with the high cost items and making sure nothing goes to waste. Miles said the move would cut "administrative burdens on GPs and pharmacies". He added: "For people living with coeliac disease, following a strict gluten-free diet is not a lifestyle choice but a medical necessity. "We want to de-medicalise the supply of gluten-free foods in Wales, giving people more freedom to access the food they want to eat, more conveniently, to help them to manage their condition." Tristen Humphreys from Coeliac UK said: "We need to recognise that a gluten-free diet is the treatment for coeliac disease, it's a serious autoimmune disease not a lifestyle choice – we want that recognised." He added supporting people's diets would help prevent health complications down the line and was "cost efficient" for the NHS and called on other UK nations to follow suit. Additional reporting by Sara Dafydd
