Gluten Free Foods Ltd was established in 1994 by father and son team Richard & Ellis Ward. Richard's background in the gluten free industry started in 1969 after his daughter was diagnosed with a rare condition; Coeliac Disease, which at the time affected hundreds of people unlike the hundred thousand it affects today. Four years later, his son Ellis (who now works in the business) was too diagnosed with this rare condition. This time at least, Richard together with his wife Simone knew what to expect and more importantly what food their two children could eat. After years of research and running a small mail order business of supplying gluten free food from their home, they set up a dedicated gluten free bakery manufacturing bread, rolls, cakes and cookies; supplying the majority of Europe and closer to home all the pharmacies and hospitals nationwide.
In 1994, Richard together with his son Ellis set up Gluten Free Foods; a modern day version of the original business. Introducing the BARKAT brand of dedicated gluten and wheat free foods to the retail market, Gluten Free Foods was the first company to present a range of free from foods to the UK grocery trade in 1999; thus launching what we know today as the FREE FROM sector. The Barkat range of dedicated gluten and wheat free foods has over 60 products all exclusively manufactured and complying with the international standard of containing less than 20ppm of gluten. This standard was one which Richard helped initiate with the Coeliac society and Codex committee to the World Health Organization, a long way from the original standard of less than 200ppm; bringing security to our consumers of special diet foods.
The family's personal experience of a chronic, debilitating and sometimes life threatening condition remains a constant reminder that drives the motivation to develop better and better products for people with gluten and wheat allergies.
Barkat advances into 2009 with a range of gluten free pasta including NEW "Alphabet shapes" and "Animal shapes." Two new ginger cookies - including a gingerbread man shaped cookie; three varieties of Crackers and Crackerbread; a range of breads, rolls and baguettes - perfect for hamburgers or as an accompaniment to any meal.