Coeliac Society
of South Australia Inc.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Homepage of the South Australian Coeliac Society Incorporated. The Society promotes a general awareness and an understanding of the problems and needs of people with Coeliac Disease throughout South Australia and the Northern Territory. The Society also provides a support network to assist with dietary treatment and help coeliac sufferers in managing their condition. The Society has over 1300 members of all ages. The Coeliac Society of South Australia/Northern Territory is a ‘not for profit’ charity organisation that provides assistance and support to sufferers of the Coeliac Disease.

What is Coeliac Disease?

The disease is a condition caused by a sensitivity to gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, oats and other cereal grains. People with coeliac disease make antibodies against gluten. However, the gut mistakes gluten to be harmful, and reacts against it in the same ay as if it were fighting an infecting organism. This causes an inflammation in the lining of the gut which stops it working properly. The cells that normally absorb food into the bloodstream do not work so well.

Coeliac disease can affect babies, children or adults. Older children or adults who have not previously had problems may also become 'gluten sensitive' at some point in their life and develop coeliac disease. It is not known why the immune system of some people becomes sensitised to gluten.

From November 2000, a new food law came into effect where food companies must list the source of any ingredients that may be derived from wheat, rye, barley or oats. This means that starches, thickeners, maltodextrin, etc must list the source. This will make determining the gluten-free status of foods much easier.

National Affiliation

The Coeliac Society of S.A. is a member of The Coeliac Society of Australia Inc.