Member's statement: Coeliac Awareness Month
Member's statement by Mr Danny Donnelly on .
- MLA
- Mr Danny Donnelly
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 26 May 2026
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- Coeliac Awareness Month
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5582347
Read the official Assembly record
Text
May is Coeliac Disease Awareness Month. It is a condition that affects about one in 100 people in the UK, and it is estimated that around 64% of those people remain undiagnosed. It is a serious autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues when gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, is eaten. Symptoms can be recurrent, persistent or unexplained. They may include but are not limited to fatigue, stomach pain, nausea, anaemia and neurological issues. The only treatment is a strict, gluten-free diet for life, but that is far easier said than done.
People often think that only bread and pasta contain gluten, but it can turn up in all sorts of places. It can be hidden in soups, sauces, processed meats, soy sauce and snack foods. Some alcoholic drinks also contain gluten, particularly beers and ales.
For many people with coeliac disease, eating out can be stressful rather than enjoyable. Even very small amounts of gluten can cause harm, and cross-contamination from shared utensils, fryers, chopping boards or preparation areas can make food unsafe. Research suggests that consuming more than 10 mg of gluten a day may be enough to damage the small intestine of someone with coeliac disease. Gluten can also appear in products that many people would never think of, including medications, supplements, lip balms and even children's play dough. Although awareness has improved over recent years and gluten-free options are now widely available, many people still face daily challenges when shopping, eating out or trying to access reliable information. Greater understanding and awareness can make a meaningful difference for those living with coeliac disease and those struggling with symptoms who have not yet been diagnosed or received the support that they need.
296 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not qualifying”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.02 (qualifying needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not qualifying).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- No identity-based framing was identified (1.00).
- Subject area: Disability (including neurodivergence and mental health), disabled people and disability or sickness benefits.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-qualifying threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.02 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.01 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.01 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.01 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.02 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.20 | No |
| Overall judgement | 0.02 | At or below not-qualifying threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 1.00 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Disability (including neurodivergence and mental health), disabled people and disability or sickness benefits | 0.89 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.11 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
| Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:38 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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