Celiac disease affects 1 in 100 Americans, and for young adults heading off to college, managing this chronic autoimmune disease can be especially difficult. According to recent survey data from the Celiac Disease Foundation, more than 70% of college students with celiac disease report inadequate gluten-free dining options, and many say they skip meals or avoid social events because safe food isn’t available. The emotional toll, paired with the risks of cross-contact and accidental gluten exposures, creates a learning environment that’s not just difficult, it’s unsafe.
To address these gaps, this spring, the Celiac Disease Foundation convened the 2025 Celiac Disease College Consensus Summit, a meeting of experts from across the United States to create nationally recognized, evidence-based recommendations for how colleges and universities can better support students with celiac disease. Held in Boston, the Summit brought together a group of experts and advocates from across the country, including physicians, registered dietitians, nurses, social workers, food service directors, chefs, disability service professionals, legal experts, parents, and college students themselves.
Building Consensus, Shaping the Future
The Summit agenda was packed with expert presentations, real-world data, and personal stories. Topics included:
- Legal protections for students under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504
- Mental health and quality of life impacts
- Dining hall protocols and cross-contact prevention
- Housing accommodations and roommate agreements
- Academic supports and campus life inclusion
- Emergency response plans for gluten exposures
- Working groups reviewed draft recommendations for each area and collaborated to refine language, prioritize student-centered solutions, and ensure that what emerges from this process will be actionable, adaptable, and impactful.
What Comes Next?
The work of the Summit is far from over. Following the meeting, all participants will review and vote on the finalized recommendations. Once approved, the recommendations will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and shared widely with colleges, students, families, and healthcare professionals across the country. Implementation resources will also be developed to guide colleges in making meaningful changes to dining, housing, academic support, and student health services.
This Summit marks a turning point in how institutions of higher learning support students with dietary medical needs and, how students and parents navigate the college experience. Together, we are building a future where students with celiac disease can fully participate in college life—without sacrificing their health, safety, or sense of belonging. Because every student deserves a college experience where they can thrive.
Thank you to Takeda Pharmaceuticals and the Merten and Winandy Families for supporting the 2025 Celiac Disease College Consensus Summit.
