A young person’s take on a mascot for celiac disease and a campaign to raise awareness

Last week, Gluten Free Watchdog issued a call to action asking the community to brainstorm on a visually impactful and positive mascot to represent celiac disease—thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. The original idea included a chameleon. Their changing colors could represent the many and varied signs and symptoms of celiac disease. Please see https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/celiac-disease-awareness-month-call-to-action-the-celiac-disease-community-needs-a-mascot/

The daughter of a Gluten Free Watchdog community member drew
this picture of a chameleon. She cleverly included various signs and symptoms
on the body […]

Celiac Disease Awareness Month Call to Action: The Celiac Disease Community Needs a Mascot!

In honor of Celiac Disease Awareness Month, Gluten Free Watchdog is issuing four calls to action (one each week).

The fourth call to action is to brainstorm on a “mascot” for
celiac disease/gluten-related disorders. The allergy community has “Turn it
Teal” lighting, red sneakers, & orange wigs–all visually impactful,
positive, and successful campaigns to raise awareness. The celiac disease
community needs something similar.

What follows are my thoughts but please share your thoughts too!

My current idea is pretty simple–buttons, etc. in various languages with […]

Letter to FDA Regarding Allergen Advisory Statements for Wheat on Foods Labeled Gluten-Free

Gluten Free Watchdog’s first call to action for Celiac Disease Awareness Month 2019 was a request for the community to submit photos of product labels that included both a gluten-free claim and an allergen advisory statement for wheat. The response was overwhelming. Thank you! Some of the photos are included in the attached letter to FDA regarding advisory statements. Please read the letter and let me know if you have any questions. https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/CallToActionMayContainStatementsFDA3.pdf

Celiac Disease Awareness Month Call to Action #2: Restaurant menu items designated as “gluten-free” but not recommended for those with celiac disease

In honor of Celiac Disease Awareness Month, Gluten Free
Watchdog will be issuing four calls to action (one each week).

The second call to action pertains to restaurants with menu items designated as “gluten-free” but not recommended for those with celiac disease.

FDA states the following about gluten-free claims and restaurants*:

“If restaurants or other retail food establishments wish to make “gluten-free” claims (or the synonymous claims “no gluten” “free of gluten” or “without gluten”) for any of their menu items, […]