What is Gluten ?

What is Gluten ?

Codex Standard 118-1979 is a standard established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a joint organization of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The standard provides guidelines for labelling foods for particular dietary use, including those intended for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. 

 

A complex of proteins known as gluten is present in some grains, including wheat, barley, and rye, as well as their derivatives. Gluten comprises two main proteins, gliadin and glutenin, which give the dough its elasticity and help it rise during baking. Gluten is responsible for the chewy texture of bread and other baked goods made from wheat flour. 

 

However, some people may be sensitive to gluten or have celiac disease. For those individuals,  consuming gluten can lead to an autoimmune response that affects the small intestine and results in symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and nutritional malabsorption. Therefore, food products must be correctly labelled to indicate the presence or absence of gluten so that glutensensitive individuals or those with celiac disease can make informed choices about what they eat. 

Key contact

For further information or prices please contact us: