HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 71

RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS GLUTEN-FREE DIET AWARENESS MONTH.

WHEREAS, the month of November is recognized as Gluten-free Diet Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, it is important to recognize the retailers, restaurants, and community members that support celiac disease and gluten-free communities; and

WHEREAS, supporting gluten-free diets and gluten-free environments helps thousands of families across the country eat safely; and

WHEREAS, a gluten-free diet excludes any foods that contain ; and

WHEREAS, gluten is a protein found naturally in wheat, barley, and rye, and is common in foods such as bread, pasta, cookies, and cakes, and many products contain gluten, such as prepackaged foods, lip balms and lipsticks, toothpastes, vitamin and nutrient supplements, and, rarely, medicines; and

WHEREAS, a gluten-free diet consists of eating only whole foods that don’t contain gluten, such as fruits, vegetables, meat and eggs, as well as processed gluten-free foods like gluten-free bread or pasta; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of a gluten-free diet is to treat celiac disease; and

WHEREAS, celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disease where the ingestion of gluten leads to damaging the small intestine; and

WHEREAS, people who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, which causes inflammation in their small intestines and if they follow a gluten-free meal plan, they can eliminate some of their symptoms; and

WHEREAS, celiac disease can develop at any age after people start consuming gluten and when it is left untreated it can lead to additional serious health problems; and

WHEREAS, 1 in 100 people worldwide are affected by celiac disease; and

WHEREAS, only about 30% of people with celiac disease are properly diagnosed; and

WHEREAS, people with celiac disease are at risk of malnutrition, anemia (a decreased number of red blood cells due to lack of iron), and osteoporosis (weakened bones from lack of calcium); and

WHEREAS, celiac disease is often referred to as an “invisible disability”; and

WHEREAS, individuals with celiac disease have different needs and because of these special needs, celiac disease is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act; and

WHEREAS, this designation is particularly relevant in certain public settings such as schools that receive federal funds;

WHEREAS, the law requires that these schools remove barriers to learning, which include accommodating a child’s gluten-free diet and disabi lity needs; and

WHEREAS, other conditions may also prompt someone to cut gluten from their diets such as a wheat allergy, a non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or gluten intolerance; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly recognizes the importance of Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month and reaffirms the significance of maintaining gluten-free services and accommodations that play a central role in protecting Delawareans living with celiac disease and those that support them.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Delaware House of Representatives of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that November 2023 is hereby recognized as Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month in Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution recognizes November 2023 as Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month in Delaware.