Aussies Launch Online Gluten-free Training for Foodservice Workers

Celiac.com 04/05/2017 - To mark the start of Coeliac Awareness Week, Coeliac Australia and Nestlé Professional have launched Gluten Free Online Training – an interactive learning resource for foodservice professionals looking to expand their understanding of gluten free food practice throughout the hospitality industry.

Under the guidance of Australian chef and author Tobie Puttock, the project will train up to 30,000 students at all TAFEs and culinary institutes in the protocols for gluten-free food preparation and service.

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People who successfully complete the training earn a Certificate of Achievement, which covers them for three years under Coeliac Australia's Gluten Free Standard for Foodservice Providers.

Cathy Di Bella, special projects officer at Coeliac Australia, says training in safe gluten-free food prep and handling practices is a huge stepping stone to meet the future needs of the foodservice industry.

Karen Kingham, dietitian and brand nutritionist at Nestlé Professional, says that the online training is intended to help people working in foodservice to become familiar with gluten-free customer and prep and server issues.

The goal is to promote gluten-free awareness and protocols to culinary and food industry workers, to benefit them, the industry, and its patrons.

"As most of us know celiac disease is real and symptoms are easily triggered, and I believe this should be treated the same as someone with perhaps a peanut allergy, and therefore food handling is of the utmost importance," said Puttock.

It's good to see such influential figures in the food industry bringing such seriousness and professionalism to the preparation and handling of gluten-free foods. Stay tuned for more on this and other gluten-free stories.

For more information: Australia's Gluten Free Online Training.