International coeliac resources & travel



Travelling internationally with coeliac disease requires extra care, planning and preparation. Gluten free labelling laws, permitted ingredients and safety standards differ from those used in Australia and New Zealand.

This page focuses on understanding those differences and providing guidance on using international tools and resources more safely when travelling overseas.


INTERNATIONAL GLUTEN FREE STANDARDS

In many countries outside Australia and New Zealand, foods labelled gluten free may be permitted to contain small amounts of gluten or include ingredients that would not be allowed under Australian standards.

When travelling internationally, it’s important to remember:

  • Gluten free labelling laws vary by country
  • “Gluten free” does not always mean coeliac-safe
  • Products that are safe in one country may not meet Australian and New Zealand requirements

Extra care, label checking, and asking questions are always recommended.


THE CROSSED GRAIN SYMBOL & EUROPEAN STANDARDS

In many European countries, gluten free products may carry the Crossed Grain symbol, which is licensed by national coeliac societies under the Association of European Coeliac Societies (AOECS). This symbol indicates that products have been assessed against recognised gluten free criteria used in those countries.

While the Crossed Grain symbol can be a helpful guide when travelling, standards, licensing rules, and product availability vary by country. Products listed or licensed in one country may not meet Australian gluten free requirements, so additional care and ingredient checking is always recommended. Please utilise your own discretion.


APPS & TOOLS

The Find Me Gluten Free app can be a useful starting point when researching places to eat, particularly when travelling or looking for nearby options. It relies on user-submitted reviews, so listings should always be used alongside asking questions directly and assessing whether a venue is coeliac-safe and suits your individual needs.

These recommendations can be helpful, particularly when travelling in unfamiliar regions, but should never replace asking questions or verifying food preparation practices with venues.


COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE

Many people also find recommendations from other coeliacs helpful when eating out or travelling. Our community regularly shares restaurant experiences across Australia and internationally, which can be searched by keywords or dedicated hashtags within the group. These shared experiences can provide useful insights when planning travel, but should always be treated as guidance rather than guarantees.


WHAT TO READ NEXT

When using international resources, it is important to understand how guidance may differ. You may also find it helpful to explore: