През 2025 г. Асоциация Цьолиакия България – Живот без глутен работи активно за по-добра информираност, по-ранно разпознаване, по-безопасна среда и реални системни промени за хората с цьолиакия в България.
During the year, our efforts focused on several key areas: policy and institutional advocacy, school nutrition, diagnosis, public awareness, education and training, community support, and collaboration with experts, organizations, and businesses.
Institutional Advocacy and Systemic Change
One of our most important initiatives in 2025 focused on school nutrition and ensuring access to appropriate and safe food for children who require medically prescribed special diets.
We submitted a proposal for amendments в Наредба №37 за здравословното хранене на учениците, придружено с конкретен разработен проект за допълнение, подкрепен от Фондация „За Храната“, НАДМХД- Национална Асоциация на деца с диабет, Федерация „Български пациентски форум“ и др. В него предложихме ясни практически мерки за деца със специални хранителни нужди по медицински причини – включително цьолиакия, хранителни алергии, диабет, лактозна непоносимост и други състояния, които изискват специален хранителен режим.
The proposal emphasized the need to align school meals with medical diagnoses and physicians’ recommendations, as well as to implement safe food preparation practices, prevent cross-contamination, ensure separate storage, provide dedicated utensils and work surfaces, and guarantee access to suitable food within the school environment.
As a result, the issue has now become part of Bulgaria’s regulatory framework. Ordinance No. 3 of October 3, 2025, on Healthy Nutrition for School Students now requires school menus to accommodate childrenwho need therapeutic diets due to medical conditions, diagnosed health issues, and physician-prescribed dietary requirements. The regulation also allows food outlets and vending machines in schools to offer dietary products, including gluten-free, lactose-free, low-glycemic, and other specialized food options.
This represents an important step toward institutional change. While it does not automatically guarantee that every school will immediately provide a fully safe menu for every child with special dietary requirements, it establishes a legal basis for parents to request meals tailored to their child’s specific medical needs, and schools are now required to accommodate such requests. In many schools, the most practical first step may be the availability of suitable certified products in vending machines or school kiosks. For children with celiac disease, this is a small but meaningful change—because safe food at school should not be the exception. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
National Celiac Disease Action Plan Proposal
Celiac disease remains significantly underdiagnosed in Bulgaria. Officially recorded cases number only in the hundreds within a population of several million, while international data indicate that celiac disease affects approximately 1% of the population. This means that many people are likely living without a diagnosis, appropriate follow-up care, or adequate support.
In response, we developed and submitted a comprehensive National Celiac Disease Action Plan Proposal in 2025.Its objective is to establish a foundation for earlier diagnosis, improved patient monitoring, more effective care, and a safer environment for people living with celiac disease in Bulgaria.
The proposal includes recommendations for establishing a national patient registry, improving early and accurate diagnosis, introducing screening programs for at-risk groups, providing training for healthcare professionals, developing national standards for safe gluten-free food practices, and strengthening coordination among institutions, healthcare providers, schools, food manufacturers, and regulatory authorities. The proposal received support from AOECS – Асоциацията на европейските дружества по цьолиакия.
We received an official response stating that, as of 2025, the Ministry of Health does not consider a comprehensive national plan or additional measures to be necessary and is not prepared to commit to their implementation.This remains one of our long-term priorities, and we will continue advocating for its adoption.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Throughout 2025, we continued to strengthen our relationships with international, regional, and national organizations. We maintained active communication with AOECS and established collaborative partnerships with organizations including the For Food Foundation, the National Association of Children and Young People with Diabetes, the Bulgarian Patient Forum Federation, Phenylketonuria Bulgaria Association, and others.
Public Awareness and Media Presence
In 2025, we worked actively to increase awareness and recognition of celiac disease across Bulgaria.The topic was featured in national and regional media, as well as public forumswhere we discussed diagnosis, healthcare services, school nutrition, the daily challenges faced by people with celiac disease, and the need for institutional solutions.
We participated in and were featured by media outlets including Bulgaria ON AIR, Дарик Радио, БНР, Bloomberg TV Bulgaria, 7/8 TV – „Вечерното шоу на Слави Трифонов“ и „Шоуто на сценаристите“, Радио Фокус, в. „Труд“, БТА, Телевизия Евроком и TV Враца.
Awareness Campaigns
We also conducted awareness campaigns in various cities across the country, distributing informationalbrochures and educational materials through medical centers, retail locations, and partner venues.Educational materials reached communities in Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas, Sliven, Vratsa, Yambol, Kavarna, Montana, Pomorie, and Dobrich.
During May, Celiac Disease Awareness Month, we organized a national awareness campaign. Through the “Strength Without Gluten” initiative , we highlighted young athletes living with celiac disease and shared their inspiring stories. We also participated in the Gluten OFF 2025 Festival in Vratsa.
We also worked to strengthen engagement and dialogue with the business community.As part of this effort, we launched the “Product with a Cause” initiative, which is open to businesses of all sizes. Participating products carry a Celiac Bulgaria Association sticker that helps raise awareness about celiac disease while supporting the Association’s activities.
Education, Training and Practical Support
Throughout the year, we also focused on education and the practical implementation of best practices.
We provide training sessions and consultations at Pastry Academy for aspiring pastry professionals.
We also delivered training programs in vocational schools specializing in tourism and hospitality, including Aleko Konstantinov Vocational High School of Tourism, Princess Evdokia Vocational High School, and Sofia Vocational High School of Tourism.The goal was to help future professionals in the food, pastry, hospitality, and tourism sectors better understand gluten-free food safety, cross-contamination prevention, and the real-life needs of people living with celiac disease.
We organized an educational lecture with Prof. Vanya Gerova за пациенти и техните близки. Проведохме лекции за ученици, учители и родители в училища, включително ЧСУ „Питагор“ и ОУ „Д-р Иван Селимински“. Споделихме и послание от проф. Алесио Фасано – един от водещите международни експерти в областта на цьолиакията.
We supported newly diagnosed patients and their families by providing information, guidance, and practical advice. Our support covered topics such as diagnosis, symptoms, nutrition, cross-contamination prevention, safe food preparation, creating a gluten-free environment, and managing everyday life with celiac disease.
Looking Ahead
We will continue to advocate for the needs of people with celiac disease and work toward greater recognition of the condition - not as a “rare issue,” but as a serious autoimmune disease affecting approximately 1% of the global population. Celiac disease can develop at any age and requires appropriate medical, nutritional, and social support.
We will continue working toward a better life for people living with celiac disease in Bulgaria.
Behind all of these efforts stands a small but dedicated team of volunteers.
We are always grateful for support. If you would like to get involved or learn more about our work, please contact us at: info@coeliac.bg
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