Eating Gluten-Free in Italy: How the AIC Makes it Possible
When you think of Italy, what comes to mind? Pizza, pasta, and endless delicious bread… But what if you need to eat gluten-free? For travelers with celiac disease, Italy might seem intimidating, but thanks to the Italian Coeliac Association (AIC), eating safely is much more achievable than you might think.
What is the AIC?
The AIC, or Italian Coeliac Association, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting people with celiac disease. They provide education, resources, and advocacy to ensure that those who need gluten-free food can access it safely.
Educating Restaurants and Servers
The AIC works closely with restaurants, cafes, and even food producers to educate staff on cross-contact risks, gluten-free ingredients, and proper preparation methods. They also maintain a list of certified gluten-free restaurants so that you can dine confidently.
The AIC App: Dining Made Easy
For travelers, the AIC app is a valuable tool when eating gluten-free in Italy. It lists over 4,000 certified gluten-free restaurants throughout the country, including reviews from celiac diners, and offers practical guidance for dining out safely. This makes navigating Italy far less stressful for those avoiding gluten.
Tourists can purchase temporary access to the AIC app for 15 days for €3.99 (about $4–$5 USD), making it an affordable and valuable tool for short-term travel. Restaurants listed in the app are carefully vetted and must demonstrate strict procedures to prevent cross-contact, ensuring meals are truly safe for people with celiac disease.
The app is also easy to use and incredibly helpful on the go. You can search for gluten-free restaurants by city, scan barcodes to confirm whether packaged foods are gluten-free, and check common ingredients to make sure they meet gluten-free standards. With these features, the AIC app takes much of the guesswork out of eating gluten-free in Italy.
Download the AIC Mobile App:
Italian Legislation: Protecting People with Celiac Disease
Italy has some of the most progressive laws for celiac support in the world:
Schools provide safe gluten-free meals for children with celiac disease.
Children are screened early to identify celiac disease and prevent complications.
The government provides financial support to help cover the higher cost of gluten-free foods, making it more accessible for families.
Thanks to these measures, Italians with celiac disease and travelers visiting Italy can enjoy meals with confidence. Gluten-free dining is not only possible, but it’s also protected and supported at multiple levels.
Yes! You can eat pizza, pasta, and all of your favorites in Italy!!
Traveling Gluten-Free in Italy
Between the AIC certified restaurants, the AIC Mobile app, and government support, traveling and eating gluten-free in Italy is much less stressful than you may have first thought. With a little planning, you can enjoy authentic Italian food safely, pizza, pasta, and more!
Pro Tip: Always check the AIC Mobile app before visiting a restaurant, and don’t hesitate to ask staff about cross-contact practices. Even in Italy, where gluten-free is common, your safety comes first.
Let us turn your dream vacation into reality!
When you work with us, you’ll get the following:
Recommendations for destinations, hotels, and cruises based on your needs
A custom itinerary and assistance booking excursions and transportation
Gluten-free travel tips and restaurant recommendations for your destination
Gluten-free translation cards to show restaurant servers
Custom document package with your itinerary, confirmations, travel tips, and more!
Blog by: Noreen Wheeler
Travel Coordinator
Noreen assists with coordinating travel for our clients and is also a gluten-free blogger who shares her and her daughter’s journey living with celiac disease. She writes about gluten-free living and travel on her blog, Gluten Free Life & Travels.
Contact Info:
info@glutenfreevacations.com
443-609-7171
Based in Maryland, USA.
Ready to book your next European vacation? Let our travel agents make the process easy!
Our travel agents specialize in:
Caribbean & Mexico
Disney World
Hawaii
Europe
Cruises