NFCA Gluten-Free Educational Webinar

In a monumental move to make life safer for consumers on a restricted diet, the Food and Drug Administration will release its standards for gluten-free foods this August.

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness will host a webinar designed to educate media about the implications of the FDA rulings’ income on consumers and the claims that food manufacturers and marketers can make on gluten-free food packages.

Watch the Webinar NOW!

Panelists participating in the webinar include:

Welcome: Alice Bast, NFCA Executive Director

Alice Bast founded the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness in 2003 to help get the three million Americans with celiac disease properly diagnosed. It is her mission to align with various players across the medical, business and media communities, as well as the public to raise awareness about celiac. As executive director, Alice has formed partnerships with major U.S. corporations and become a leading authority on celiac disease.

Moderator & Panelist: Vanessa Maltin, NFCA Director of Programming & Communications

Vanessa Maltin received a bachelor's degree in journalism and holds a certificate in the Practical Applications of Food Allergy Guidelines. She is the director of programming and communications for the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. In this role, she oversees the foundation's programs including the Gluten-Free Cooking Sprees, continuing education programs for medical professionals and chefs, media outreach and strategic partnerships with corporations. Vanessa is also the editorial director of the NFCA monthly newsletter, called CeliacCentral. She is the author of Beyond Rice Cakes: A Young Person's Guide to Cooking, Eating & Living Gluten-Free and her second book, The Gloriously Gluten-Free Cookbook, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2009. Vanessa is also the host of Alternative Appetites, a video podcast series that teaches people with celiac disease and other special diets to cook delicious food that is suitable for their specific condition. 

Panelist: Dr. Aline Charabaty, Director, Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases at Georgetown University Hospital, NFCA Medical Advisory Board Member

Dr. Aline Charabaty Pishvaian is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and the Director of the Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases at Georgetown University Hospital. She received a bachelor degree in Human Genetics at McGill University, Canada and her medical degree from the St Joseph University, Lebanon. She completed her residency in internal medicine and her fellowship in gastroenterology at Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and in Gastroenterology. Her areas of interest include inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), celiac disease, women’s health and staging of gastrointestinal tumors by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Dr. Charabaty is committed to providing excellent and comprehensive medical care to her patients, and to the medical education of fellow physicians on important GI issues.

Panelist: Chef Edgar Steele, Cafe Atlantico

After receiving his culinary degree from New York’s Culinary Institute of America, Edgar Steele was immediately hired by renowned Chef Jose Andres at his popular and trendy restaurant, Café Atlantico. The Washington, D.C.-based restaurant serves "contemporary signature cuisine inspired by the Nuevo Latino style." The kitchen is based upon cooking traditions from Latin America and the menu displays "playfulness and innovation." Edgar has worked tirelessly over the last year to help Cafe Atlantico as well as the other restaurants that are part of Think Food Group convert their menus and kitchens to include a large variety of gluten-free options. As the NFCA Chef Spokesman, he has spent countless hours responding to questions from the celiac community and helping everyone learn to cook. He has been a true role model for gluten-free dining.

Panelist: Matt Cox, Bob's Red Mill

Matt Cox, Marketing Manager for Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods, has helped lead the company’s efforts as a pioneer in the gluten-free industry.  With the company since 2001, Matt has become a gluten-free expert, helping develop strict testing and manufacturing practices for the company to ensure the safety of their customers.  Matt acts as the spokesperson for the company’s relationships with the gluten-free community, bringing Bob’s Red Mill to gluten-free conferences across the country, educating consumers, media, and industry alike about the importance of safe gluten-free manufacturing practices and healthy gluten-free food options.

Why You Should Listen:

• Gluten-free diets are no longer just a trend but a lifestyle adopted by millions of Americans.
• One in eight Americans are gluten intolerant and one in 133 Americans suffer from Celiac disease.
• Sales from gluten-free products topped $1.3 billion in 2007 – a 20% increase over previous years.
• Mainstream companies such as General Mills, Anheuser Busch, and Wal-Mart are expanding into gluten-free markets
• National restaurants and chefs are catering to this population with specially designed menus designed for customers who are gluten intolerant.
• Celiac Disease is a serious Autoimmune Disease which can lead to cancer, malnourishment, infertility, depression, and neurological disorders if left untreated by a gluten-free diet.
  
• The World Health Organization released new International gluten-free labeling standards on July 1st, generating global interest in the FDA’s upcoming rulings.

Watch the Webinar NOW!

Gluten-Free Gets Hot Media Attention

• Goodbye, gluten!
  The Associated Press
• Nothing to Sneeze At: Sales Of Allergen-Free, Gluten-Free Foods Soar
  Nutrition Business Journal
• Gluten-Free Market Continues Major Growth
  NaturalFoodNet
• Celiac Disease and a Gluten Free Diet
  Rocklin & Roseville Today
• Codex Adopts 35 International Food Standards
  

For more information contact:

webinar@celiaccentral.org

Sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods
www.bobsredmill.com

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