Alan B. Miller Medical Center has achieved validation as a Gluten-Free Food Service program, one of few hospitals in the country to achieve this status. The Alan B. Miller Medical Center nutrition team met the rigorous standards and expectations for safety required to achieve this honor.
The Gluten-Free Food Service (GFFS) audits and validates restaurants and food businesses that serve gluten-free food. The Gluten-Free Food Service validation program is a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), a nonprofit organization that has been serving the needs of the gluten-free community for over 45 years. GIG is on a mission to make life easier for everyone living gluten-free and Alan B. Miller Medical Center is proud to be a part of this program.
Alan B. Miller Medical Center will be displaying the validated Gluten-Free Safe Spot logo throughout the facility to represent the independent verification of quality, integrity and purity of businesses serving gluten-free food. Validation as a Gluten-Free Safe Spot establishes trust with gluten-free patrons in the ability of a facility to provide safe gluten-free food.
“At Alan B. Miller Medical Center, we believe that every patient deserves access to meals that are both nourishing and safe,” said Gina Melby, CEO of Alan B. Miller Medical Center. “Achieving gluten-free certification demonstrates our commitment to meeting the diverse dietary needs of our community and providing peace of mind for those who require a gluten-free diet. This recognition is another example of how we are elevating the patient experience through excellence, compassion and innovation.”
Since the program was established in 2009, GFFS has always held its food service establishments to the highest standards. Consumers recognize locations that have been validated as Gluten-Free Safe Spots serve gluten-free food that meets the nonprofit GFFS’s rigorous standards and expectations for safety. GFFS validates participating establishments, from restaurants to college dining, senior living, hospitals and more, by visiting locations in-person to ensure they follow best practices for gluten-free food safety and ensure high-quality staff training.
Facts About the Demand for Gluten-Free
The demand for gluten-free options has surged in recent years, due in part to increased awareness and diagnosis of gluten-related disorders.
- According to research at Gluten Intolerance Group, celiac disease affects approximately 1% of the global population, causing an autoimmune reaction to gluten ingestion.
- Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) impacts up to 13% of the population.
“It’s very exciting to award gluten-free validation to Alan B. Miller Medical Center. The commitment shown by Alan B. Miller Medical Center in achieving our certification reflects their dedication to catering to individuals with gluten-related disorders. This certification not only recognizes their efforts but also highlights the commitment to ensuring safe gluten-free food at a time/place when the gluten-free individuals need it the most,” said Cynthia Kelly, CEO of the Gluten Intolerance Group.
