Slovenian Celiac Society Urges Schools to Ensure Safe Gluten-Free Meals

As the new school year approaches, the Slovenian Celiac Society is urging kindergartens, primary, and secondary schools to guarantee safe gluten-free meals for children with celiac disease. While the Ministry of Education includes dietary adjustments for children with health needs in its school nutrition system, the society stresses that strict gluten-free diets leave no room for error. Celiac disease requires this diet as its sole medical treatment.

The society demands that educational institutions implement proper procedures for all stages of food handling, from purchasing and storing ingredients to preparing and serving meals. They advocate for children with medically indicated diets to receive meals that are equivalent, not just substitutes. The society highlights that children can face social exclusion or differential treatment due to dietary restrictions.

Although gluten-free diets in schools are not a new topic, with previous guidelines acknowledging celiac disease as a condition requiring a special diet and emphasizing the prevention of cross-contamination, practical issues persist. The society notes that current guidelines, updated for the 2024/25 school year, explicitly state that schools must consider the needs of children with medically indicated diets. However, the society observes ongoing problems in practice and seeks verification and consistent implementation of procedures by institutions.

To address these concerns, the society plans to conduct theoretical and practical training sessions for public kitchen staff across Slovenia in October and November. Celiac disease affects approximately two percent of the population, making these efforts crucial for ensuring the well-being and inclusion of affected children.

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There is no room for error in a strict gluten-free diet, as the diet is medically indicated for celiac disease and is the only treatment for the disease.