Spin-off to sell bread suitable for coeliacs

Una empresa spin-off comercialitza un pa per a celíacs

A new spin-off company, member of the UAB Research Park, will begin in November to commercialise high quality gluten-free bread developed by the Food Technology Plant Special Research Centre (CERPTA) at UAB. The company is called Felnuti, S.L. and the bread will be sold under the commercial name of Celipan. The bread was created with the collaboration of professionals from the pharmaceutical company Uxafarma and UAB researchers. The company plans to sell both ready-made gluten-free bread and a prepared mixture which can be used to make bread at home.

28/10/2009

Coeliac disease is the permanent intolerance of gluten, a protein found in some cereals. The products available for this population are constantly improving, but coeliacs must continue adapting to a different taste that is not always pleasant.

At the presentation of Felnuti, which took place at UAB Casa Convalescència, Dr Francesc Casellas from the Digestive Unit at the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, gave a conference on coeliac disease. He explained the evolution of research into this disease and how its diagnosis and identification of risk groups has improved. Carreras stressed the difficulties posed frequently by a gluten-free diet and how it affects the quality of life of coeliacs.

Buenaventura Guamis, Chair of Food Technology at the UAB and director of CERPTA, was in charge of presenting the company Felnuti and the products it will offer. Guamis defined the company as a "technology-based company which aims to develop foods for people with intolerances" who find it difficult to acquire products adapted to their needs.

The bread Celipan presents characteristics such as flavour and texture that are a lot more similar to that of conventional bread. In addition, its weekly distribution will allow consumers to buy fresh bread which, due to its characteristics, can be eaten by everyone and not only by those with coeliac disease. Guamis highlighted that the objective was to create "a bread for the whole family" because coeliacs "should not be excluded and forced to eat separate foods to avoid cross contamination". Celipan is also free of animal proteins which could generate intolerance.

The product will be sold as a sandwich bread in 250g bags, similar to conventional sandwich breads. The company also offers a "mix", a prepared product which can be used to bake bread or other foods at home, and will be sold in 400g packets. Both products will be distributed throughout Catalonia beginning in November and will be available at "Marsan" food stores.