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Cruise Ship Passenger Alleges Misleading "Gluten-Free" Labels for Celiacs

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A passenger on a Tallink cruise ship was concerned by misleading "gluten-free" labels on buffet items that were described as unsuitable for celiacs.
  • Tallink explained that while items are made with gluten-free ingredients, cross-contamination is possible in the shared kitchen and buffet environment.
  • The passenger argued that such labeling contradicts EU regulations, which state that "gluten-free" claims must be suitable for individuals with gluten intolerance.

A passenger on a Tallink cruise ship has raised concerns about what she describes as discriminatory and misleading labeling of food items in the ship's buffet. Riikka Notkola reported that while some dishes were marked "gluten-free," a disclaimer indicated they were unsuitable for individuals with celiac disease.

It felt a bit like an entire group of people was being tried to be excluded from dining. As if it was indirectly said that maybe celiacs shouldn't eat here.

— Riikka NotkolaExpressing her frustration with the food labeling on the cruise ship.

Notkola, who has celiac disease, found the labeling confusing and felt it excluded a specific group of people. "It felt a bit like an entire group of people was being tried to be excluded from dining," she stated. "As if it was indirectly said that maybe celiacs shouldn't eat here."

The gluten-free label means that the food is prepared from gluten-free ingredients.

— TallinkExplaining the meaning of their gluten-free labeling.

Tallink's communications department explained that the "gluten-free" label signifies that the food is prepared using gluten-free ingredients. However, due to the shared kitchen environment and the possibility of using common serving utensils in the buffet, the risk of cross-contamination cannot be entirely eliminated. "Up to a thousand people can dine at the buffet during one serving, so we cannot guarantee everything," said communications director Marika Nöjd.

Because gluten-free and gluten-containing foods are prepared in a common kitchen and sometimes food may be taken with a common utensil, the possibility of contamination in the buffet cannot be completely ruled out.

— TallinkJustifying the disclaimer about potential cross-contamination.

Notkola countered that Tallink's labeling practices appear to contradict EU legislation. According to EU regulations, a product can only be labeled "gluten-free" if it is suitable for individuals with gluten intolerance. She argued that there is no such thing as "gluten-free" food that celiacs cannot eat due to their condition. Tallink advises customers with special dietary needs to contact the ship's staff and is open to changing its labeling if customers provide feedback. However, Notkola believes the company's use of phrases like "prepared from gluten-free ingredients" without further clarification is a way to avoid responsibility for the suitability of the food for celiacs.

Up to a thousand people can dine at the buffet during one serving, so we cannot guarantee everything.

— Marika NöjdTallink Communications Director, explaining the challenges of preventing cross-contamination in a buffet setting.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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