NUSU welfare officer declared the cost of living crisis for coeliac students a “matter of concern and worry”

Increased prices for free-from labels affect Newcastle students with coeliac disease and welfare officer urged for lobbying.

Newcastle’s Student Union Welfare Officer, Hisham Salamathullah, 27, said that the pressures of the cost of living crisis on coeliac students, “restricts them to have a proper diet and will adversely affect their physical and mental health.”

He added, “we are working on one pound meals” and “gluten free food is something we can lobby” in hopes of improving the ongoing issue.

The 2024 Coeliac UK report reveals that coeliac sufferers spend 35% more on their food shops than those without the allergy. Gluten free food has always been more expensive but with the cost of living crisis and inflation, 77% of coeliacs report that gluten free food is now unaffordable.

Students especially have been affected by the cost of living crisis with student living costs increasing and 67% of students have skipped meals at least some of the time to save money.

Student and president of the Coeliac Society at Newcastle University, Saskia Ward, 21, said, “it’s frustrating because so many people see it as a choice or luxury item but they’d be outraged at how much we really pay for complete basics.”

Students with coeliac disease struggle to afford the medically required diet for their allergy. Some have skipped meals, ate gluten, and avoided necessary staples for nutrition, such as bread and pasta, to save money.

Individuals and students with coeliac disease are forced to make tough decisions on their food shop. Hollie, a coeliac from the North East, said, “I have to genuinely decide what to buy, like bread is a luxury for me at the moment.”

Gram for gram, the cheapest gluten free loaf is 6.1 times more expensive than the cheapest gluten containing loaf. Saskia added, “I’ve often paid four pound plus for a loaf of bread that’s usually about half the size of regular bread.”

NUSU’s Welfare Officer Hisham said the university should consider financial aid “especially with the harsher fund” for gluten free products.

Saskia backed financial aid for students with coeliac and said “I think when it’s a medical necessity like coeliac disease, it would be really helpful.”

North East gluten free businesses were effected by this too. Mary, @marybakes_glutenfree, said “we have had to raise our prices to reflect the 80% rise in chocolate costs” and all the costs for production have gone up in the past year.

Gluten free businesses are struggling to maintain profit with production price increases. Jasmine Haden, owner of The Lily Tree Bakery said, “flour was 35 pence in COVID, it’s now £1.30” and added “it is really difficult.”

Price increases are making gluten free products unaffordable for all with coeliac disease. Students with coeliac are especially struggling with the choice between a healthy diet or financial stability.

“It becomes a big concern when students have to choose between study or food,” said Hisham.

(Image credit: Newcastle University Students’ Union Website https://nusu.co.uk/student-voice/sabbs/welfare)