People living with coeliac disease can’t eat gluten - a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and oats. One in 70 Australians suffer the condition.

The Stockland Green Hills food court store, along with McDonalds restaurants in Rutherford, Singleton and Greta, offer a gluten free menu recently accredited by Coeliac Australia.

Accredited food outlets must comply with the Gluten Free Standard for the Australian Food Service Sector and have successfully completed staff training and an onsite compliance audit.

In another first, the accredited gluten free menu options in their Rutherford, Singleton and Greta stores were also recently made available from the drive through.

“Gluten free customers can eat with confidence knowing that our staff have been trained and that gluten free orders are prepared in a dedicated zone and delivered on a separate tray or bag,” owner operator of McDonald’s Maitland Food Court, Greta, Singleton and Rutherford Denise McKeough said.

The issue is one close to home for Ms McKeough, who was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2001. 

“As someone living with coeliac disease, I understand the importance of being able to readily access gluten free food that tastes great, is affordable and has steps taken to avoid cross contamination,” she said. 

A 2015 Coeliac Australia survey showed eating out was the number one concern for people with coeliac disease.

The accreditation coincided with national Coeliac Awareness Week from March 13-20.