Coeliac Disease Vaccine

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, oats, barley and rye, and is therefore very commonly found in most food businesses.

It is recognised as one of the food allergens in the Food Standards Code, and is now the most common of the food allergens in Australia. Most retail food businesses now carry at least one gluten free product, as it is being accepted as mainstream. Only as little as three years ago, there were no where near the amount of gluten free products in our supermarkets, as there are now.

Unlike the other food allergens, gluten causes the allergic reaction in the gut, as it does not have the ability to properly digest or process the protein. A person who has this disease is known as a Coeliac. The typical symptoms include; diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, cramps, gas, flatulence, extreme discomfort / pain and significant bloating. It can also result in death, depending upon the person.

To properly determine if a person is a Coeliac, they must undergo formal allergen testing. Not everyone who claims they are a Coeliac have actually had the test done, but have found that they feel better when they remove gluten from their diet.

Food businesses that claim a food is gluten free must ensure that it is in fact free from gluten. This is done through having a suitable Allergen Control program in place. This program includes; training, cleaning, purchasing from suitable suppliers, scheduling, labelling, correct storage, ensuring customers can make informed choices, and knowing the ingredients of their ingredients.

There is work being done by Dr Bob Anderson, WEHI Clinician Scientist, and his scientific team in Melbourne on a vaccine for Coeliac Disease. The experimental vaccine is currently in the Phase 1 Clinical trial stage of testing.

If the vaccine is successful and proceeds through to manufacture, a strict gluten free diet for Coeliacs may not be necessary in the future. It will also have a significant impact on the food industry.

For more information about Allergen Control Programs go to www.allergenbureau.net.au