Swiss bakery's 'gluten-free' cake sparks celiac disease safety debate

A father in Switzerland recently bought a Three Kings' Cake from the bakery Steiner-Beck, believing it was safe for his daughter with celiac disease. The product was labelled as 'gluten-free' but also carried a warning: 'may contain traces of gluten'. This contradiction has sparked criticism from the Swiss Celiac Association, which argues that such dual labelling is misleading and unacceptable.

Under Swiss and EU regulations, a product can only be called 'gluten-free' if it contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kilogram at the time of sale. The warning 'may contain traces of gluten' is required when unintentional cross-contamination is possible, but only if the gluten content exceeds 200 mg per kilogram or litre. Steiner-Beck, however, does not operate a fully isolated production line for gluten-free goods, meaning minimal cross-contamination could occur.

The Swiss Celiac Association has received several complaints about Steiner-Beck's labelling practices. They argue that combining 'gluten-free' with a trace warning creates confusion for consumers, particularly those with severe gluten sensitivities. The company defends its approach, stating that the additional warning is a precaution to prevent false confidence in highly sensitive individuals.

Switzerland's Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office confirms that using both labels is not illegal, provided the 20 mg/kg limit is met. Steiner-Beck maintains that their cautious labelling reflects a commitment to transparency, even if it has drawn criticism from advocacy groups.

The dispute highlights the challenges of gluten-free labelling when cross-contamination risks exist. Steiner-Beck continues to use both labels, while the Swiss Celiac Association pushes for clearer, more consistent standards. For now, consumers with celiac disease must remain vigilant when interpreting product warnings.