More than 1 million Romanians who have gluten intolerance will have easier access to safe food, produced locally, with prices adapted to the local market. This is after the Romanian Association for Gluten Intolerance implemented the international certification addressed to local gluten-free food producers - Crossed Grain.
The Crossed Grain certification program was created to ensure the safety of foods intended for people with celiac disease, from the manufacturing process to the correct product labeling and availability. 
As May 16 was the International Day of People with Celiac Disease, Iuliana Roibu Bonoiu, president and executive director of the AGIR association presented the first figures since the application of the certification in Romania. In Romania, 419 gluten-free products are certified, of which 77% belong to Sam Mills, 20% to Cris-Tim and 3% to Petras Bio. The first Romanian Crossed Grain accredited producer was Sam Mills – the company that produces corn-based pasta and mixes at the factory in Satu Mare.
"It is a complex certification that checks and audits all stages of the production, packaging and distribution of gluten-free food, and imposes one of the most rigorous standards in the food industry. Patients with celiac disease and gluten intolerance will now have easier access to food that is safe for them, locally produced, standardized certified and at an advantageous price", said Iuliana Roibu Bonoiu.
Crossed Grain certification gives local gluten-free food producers access to this market segment, both locally and internationally. In Romania, ARIG data shows that the market for gluten-free products has grown by more than 25% in the last 3 years, but it is mainly based on imports of certified products. The consumption of such products increased in Romania to the value of 44 million lei in 2018, from 37 million lei in 2017.
At European level, 78% of consumers of gluten-free products recognize the Crossed Grain sign, know how to correctly identify it on labels and give more trust to products that have this symbol, compared to products that only display a label with the statement «gluten-free» . Arta Albă addressed the topic of gluten-free products are here
Globally, gluten-free food is one of the fastest-growing retail segments, with the total market valued at $4,48 billion in 2018
Hello, I am a celiac traveling through Romania, my next destinations are Brasov, Sibiu and Sibiu, can you tell me where I can eat, dine and buy gluten-free things.
Thank you very much
Hello,
For Brașov, find here the recommendations of other celiacs regarding places where you can find products intended for them: https://www.findmeglutenfree.com/ro/brasov.
For Sibiu, you have the options here: https://bookingham.ro/sibiu/restaurante/tag/fara-gluten.
It is important to inform the staff of your condition in order to be sure of the services offered. Regarding the purchase of gluten-free products, you will find a rich assortment of them in stores.