At Glebe Farm, we take gluten-free living seriously. We know how important it is for you to trust the foods you eat. That’s why we’re proud to be certified by Coeliac UK to carry the Crossed Grain Trademark. But what does that really mean, and why should you care?
What is gluten anyway?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. For some people, consuming gluten can cause serious health issues. Coeliac disease (pronounced see-liac and spelled celiac in some other countries) is a serious illness in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues when gluten is consumed. For people with coeliac disease, gluten damages the lining of the gut and prevents the body from properly absorbing nutrients from food. Around 1 in 100 people in the UK have coeliac disease, and it is estimated that around half a million people remain undiagnosed. Others might have non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, where they experience discomfort without the same immune response; in fact, 13% of adults in the UK reported having some level of gluten sensitivity. Either way, avoiding gluten is essential for many.
What does “Certified Gluten Free” mean?
When you see the words certified gluten free on a product, it’s more than just a label – it’s a promise. Certification means that a product has been rigorously tested to ensure it meets strict gluten-free standards. In the UK, this means it contains less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten, as set by the Food Standards Agency. To put it into perspective, that’s like looking for a single breadcrumb in a loaf of bread!
We go the extra mile by making sure all of our oats have an ‘undetectable’ level of gluten: less than the detection limit of 5ppm of the official R5 gluten test, and under 1ppm of gluten by our internal grain tests. This makes sure our gluten-free oats are at least 20x purer than the industry standard. This is our way of ensuring you can shop and eat with total peace of mind!
The Crossed Grain Trademark, an internationally registered trademark, allows consumers a quick reference point to the gluten status of a product. Being certified means that we have met the criteria for our ingredients and production process to be gluten-free and have undergone testing for gluten content.
How do we ensure our products are gluten free?
To make sure our oats are certified gluten free, we meticulously oversee the whole process from seed to finished product. Here’s how we do it:
- Dedicated fields and facilities
Our oats are grown in specially designated fields to avoid cross-contamination with other crops. We work closely with British farmers, some of which have partnered with us for decades, to ensure quality from the ground up. Once harvested, our oats are transported to our state-of-the-art facility, which operates exclusively as a gluten-free environment. - Meticulous processing
From the moment our oats are harvested, every step of the process is designed to protect their gluten-free status. At our dedicated mill, oats are carefully cleaned, hulled, and rolled using specialised equipment to ensure they meet strict safety and quality standards. - Regular testing for purity
Every batch of oats undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets our “undetectable” standard. Independent labs test every batch for gluten before it leaves our site, giving you the confidence that our products are always safe. - Ongoing audits and certification
Maintaining our gluten-free certification is an ongoing process. We are regularly audited to ensure compliance with the highest standards. These audits underscore our commitment to providing safe, reliable products. In fact, we’re delighted to have been awarded an AA+ grade by the BRCGS!
You can learn more about our process here.
Why does certification matter?
Let’s face it, trust can be hard to come by in food labelling. We are lucky that, in the UK and Europe, there are robust gluten-free certification schemes and any product that claims to be gluten-free must contain under 20 parts per million of gluten. Certification is your assurance that the product has been tested, verified, and is safe for those with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Choosing certified gluten-free products means you can focus on the joy of eating, not have the stress of worrying. Whether it’s a comforting bowl of porridge, or a delicious frothy coffee, you can savour every moment knowing we’ve done the hard work for you.
So, the next time you see the certified gluten-free label on one of our products, know that it’s not just a claim – it’s a promise. A promise of safety, quality, and the delicious taste you’ve come to expect from us.
