As she slowly chewed, her cheeks were awash in tears. These were not tears that she was shedding, but they were tears of joy. This isn’t what one would expect from a child eating a pizza slice. But for Maggie Reilly (14), this was a moment she didn’t think she would ever have and she couldn’t be more grateful.
Maggie Reilly is an American teenager. However, Maggie had never eaten pizza outside of her home until January 2009.
“My daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease when she was three-and-a-half years old. Throughout her life she watched from afar as her friends enjoyed the dish at parties and events,”Maggie’s mother Lisa Reilly, wiped her tears away as she explained. “She always had to bring other foods to eat, and as a result, she felt excluded from many events. It broke my heart to see this, and I know it hurt her to have to go through it.”
Celiac disease is a digestive disorder that affects about 1% of the population. It damages the small intestine, inhibits nutrient absorption, and can be fatal. Celiac disease is not curable. Patients must avoid gluten-containing foods such as bread, beer, pasta, and most baked goods.
Experts believe that there are 3 million celiac patients. 7 million others have other medical conditions like gluten intolerance or allergies that requires a gluten-free diet. The Gluten Intolerance Group has found that 15-25 percent of consumers are looking for gluten-free products even if they can tolerate gluten protein.
Restaurants and food producers are starting to pay attention. Uno Chicago Grill is one of the first national restaurants to offer gluten-free pizzas.
“Food allergies are a very serious, sometimes life-threatening issue for many Americans,”Frank Guidara, CEO of Uno, said: “Pizza is our signature product, and we wanted to offer a gluten-free pizza so all of our guests could enjoy it when dining at Uno.”Over a year was spent by the chain developing a crust that lived upto the Uno name.
They are very grateful to the Reillys. Mother and daughter attended the tasting Uno hosted for 350 celiacs at Massachusetts Bay Community College’s Wellesley Hills Campus. Lisa works for Uno and Maggie was not the only one who wept. Nearly every celiac sufferer had to break down during the event.
For more information, please visit www.unos.com.
