University launches first gluten-free dining hall

A US university has become the first in the country to establish an entirely gluten-free dining hall on its campus.

Kent State University restructured its Prentice Café after administrators noticed rising numbers of students with gluten intolerance.

An estimated 3 million Americans suffer from coeliac disease, a genetic autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive process, while many others choose to restrict their gluten intake as a personal preference.

To make college life easier for students who need or prefer gluten-free foods, all menu items at Prentice Café are gluten-free.

“Students’ needs have always been our top priority,” said Rich Roldan, director of university dining services at Kent State. “Students have enough to worry about — they should not have to worry about their food being safe to eat. It is important they can eat in a safe environment, which is why we decided to make Prentice Café a gluten-free dining location.”

Prentice Café earned certification from the Gluten-Free Food Services Certification Program, a food safety program offered through the Gluten Intolerance Group, a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering the gluten-free community through consumer support, advocacy and education.

In addition to every item being gluten-free, the menu at Prentice Café also features a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes, as well as foods that support a healthy lifestyle.