AFDIAG

What AFDIAG does

AFDIAG (Association Française Des Intolérants Au Gluten) is a French nonprofit patient association founded in 1989, headquartered in Paris (1 Rue des Gâtines, 75020) and recognized under association loi 1901. It serves individuals with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and dermatitis herpetiformis, alongside the healthcare professionals, restaurants, and food manufacturers who support them, with a stated mission to inform, defend, and accompany patients. The core service portfolio includes personalized coaching by an ETP-certified nurse, a telephone helpline, the quarterly AFDIAG Infos magazine, an online health-education platform (EduSansGlu on XpertMods), an annual summer nutrition camp for children aged 9–17, regional animations organized by a delegate network across French departments, and medical colloquia (47 held since 2007). Under the sub-brand Gluton, it operates a mobile and web application referencing restaurants trained in gluten-free preparation, paired with a 2-hour online training program.

The association's principal commercial asset is the exclusive French license from the AOECS (Association of European Coeliac Societies) to administer the 'épi barré' registered gluten-free certification mark, issued via AFDIAG SASU to food manufacturers and distributors against AOECS-Standard audits and COFRAC-accredited ELISA R5 Méndez testing (residual gluten below 20 mg/kg). The licensing program currently covers more than 100 brands and 3,500 product references in the French market. AFDIAG has secured regulatory milestones including partial reimbursement of gluten-free products by Assurance Maladie (decree of 30 April 1996) and inclusion in the HAS 2024 work program for celiac disease clinical guidelines, and runs a research-grant program that has funded five projects since 2018 in collaboration with GERMC and academic partners (INSERM, Hôpital Cochin, UMR 7268 ADES, Aix-Marseille).

Revenue is generated through four streams: membership dues and donations from individuals (tax-deductible in France), 'épi barré' logo licensing royalties from food companies (based on forecasted turnover), restaurant training and Gluton referencing fees, and ancillary grants. The association is governed by a Conseil d'Administration of up to 20 volunteer members elected for 4-year terms, supported by a Bureau, Medical Committee, and regional delegate network. AFDIAG has no parent company, no disclosed investors or funding rounds, and does not publish revenue. Its technology footprint is limited to a standard web stack (Django, Bootstrap, jQuery), the Gluton app, and integration with Allergobox and AOECS databases.

Name

AFDIAG

Legal name

Association Française Des Intolérants Au Gluten

Website

https://afdiag.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AFDIAG is a French nonprofit association founded in 1989 that supports people with celiac disease and gluten-related pathologies through coaching, education, advocacy, restaurant training, and the licensed 'épi barré' gluten-free certification covering 100+ brands and 3,500 products in France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Patient Association & Celiac Disease Support Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Gluten-Free & Allergen-Free Certification Services (AFALAMAH)

Keywords

• Patient association services
• Gluten-free certification
• Celiac disease support
• Food allergy advocacy
• Nonprofit health resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Annual membership dues from individuals with gluten-related pathologies. Members receive magazines, recipe booklets, guides, and access to services including coaching and regional meetings.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from members and supporters. Membership fees and donations are tax-deductible in France.
3. Logo licensing (épi barré): AFDIAG SASU manages licensing contracts for the 'épi barré' gluten-free certification logo. Food manufacturers and distributors pay annual royalties based on forecasted turnover for the right to use the certification mark.
4. Restaurant training and referencing: Two-hour distance training for restaurant professionals on gluten-free preparation and contamination risks. Establishments receive referencing in the Gluton app and macaron upon completion.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AFDIAG is a French non-profit patient association (association loi 1901) that supports individuals with gluten-related pathologies such as celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and dermatitis herpetiformis. It provides membership services (magazine, guides, coaching), educational resources, restaurant referencing via the Gluton app, and licenses the AOECS-regulated 'épi barré' gluten-free certification logo to food manufacturers through its AFDIAG SASU subsidiary.

Product overview

AFDIAG (Association Française Des Intolérants Au Gluten) is a non-profit patient association offering a comprehensive ecosystem of services for people with gluten-related pathologies. The portfolio includes the Gluton mobile/web application for restaurant discovery, the Allô Gutsense dietitian consultation service, the Logo Épi Barré gluten-free certification for food manufacturers, and restaurant training programs. Members receive the quarterly AFDIAG Infos magazine, access to an extensive recipe collection, personalized coaching with healthcare professionals, health education formations via the EduSansGlu platform, and can participate in annual medical conferences and summer camps for young members. The organization also produces practical guides, booklets, and newsletters as part of its documentation service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gluton: Restaurant referral network and application for restaurants trained and certified by AFDIAG for gluten-free preparation. Referenced on the restaurant directory page and restaurant training pages.

Products and services

• Logo Épi Barré Certification European-recognized gluten-free product certification program administered by AFDIAG SASU, licensing the 'épi barré' trademark to food manufacturers and distributors that meet AOECS standards (less than 20 mg/kg residual gluten, with annual audits and ELISA R5 Méndez testing).
• Restaurant Training and Certification Two-hour distance learning program for restaurant professionals covering gluten-related pathologies, contamination risks, and safe food preparation practices, resulting in Gluton network membership and an annual certification macaron.
• Application Gluton Mobile and web application that references restaurants trained and certified by AFDIAG, allowing gluten-intolerant users to find establishments sensitized to gluten-free preparation near them.
• Allô Gutsense Free telephone consultation service connecting users with a dietitian to discuss symptoms and concerns related to gluten intolerance.
• AFDIAG Infos Magazine Quarterly membership magazine containing association news, gluten-free recipes, dietary articles, and practical guidance for members.
• Personalized Coaching Telephone coaching sessions with an ETP-certified (Therapeutic Patient Education) nurse for members managing gluten-related pathologies.
• Health Education Platform (EduSansGlu) Online health education platform (powered by XpertMods) providing weekly educational formations created by and for people with gluten-related pathologies.
• Medical Colloquia Annual medical and dietary conferences organized across France to foster exchange between the public and healthcare professionals on gluten-related diseases.
• Nutritional Education Summer Camps Annual nutrition education summer camps held during school holidays for young people aged 9-17 living with celiac disease, providing education and peer support, running for over 25 years.
• Gluten-Free Recipes Collection Extensive online collection of gluten-free recipes organized by category (entrées, main courses, desserts), with detailed preparation instructions, distributed as a recipe booklet and via the website.
• AFDIAG Annual Membership Annual membership for individuals with gluten-related pathologies providing access to AFDIAG Infos magazine, recipe booklets, guides, telephone coaching, regional animations, and reimbursement assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 700,000 people affected in France, only ~100,000 diagnosed (10-20% diagnosis rate)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• DigHacktion (hackathon for digestive diseases)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2024DigHacktion is an innovation program founded by 20 scientific societies, national bodies, and patient associations to develop digital health solutions for digestive diseases. AFDIAG participates to foster innovative projects supporting celiac patients and digestive health patients.
• AOECS (Association of European Coeliac Societies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAOECS is the European umbrella organization for celiac disease societies. AFDIAG holds the French license from AOECS to administer the 'épi barré' gluten-free certification logo in France. The logo follows AOECS standards requiring less than 20 mg/kg residual gluten, annual audits to AOECS Standard, and COFRAC-accredited laboratory testing using the ELISA R5 Méndez method.
• Cespharm (Comité d'éducation sanitaire et sociale de la pharmacie française)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFDIAG partnered with Cespharm for the 'Panthère' awareness campaign, distributing informational brochures and posters through pharmacies, medical biology laboratories, and general medicine practices across France.
• CNAM (Caisse Nationale de l'Assurance Maladie)coreOthersAFDIAG engaged with CNAM (formerly CNAMTS) to improve reimbursement processes and amounts for gluten-free products for celiac disease patients, submitting a dossier including a survey of 1,859 members and European reimbursement comparisons.
• GERMC (Groupe d'Étude et de Recherche sur la maladie cœliaque)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated in 1998, GERMC promotes clinical and pathophysiological research on celiac disease. Composed of researchers, gastroenterologists, pediatricians, biologists, and pathologists. AFDIAG representatives facilitate interface between researchers, physicians, and patients. President: Pr Christophe Cellier, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou.
• Université Aix-Marseille (Ethics Committee)minorOthersThe Vie100Glut' study received ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of Aix-Marseille University, validating the research methodology for studying the daily challenges of people living gluten-free.
• Unité Mixte de Recherche 7268 ADESminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFDIAG collaborated with UMR 7268 ADES and the association Tous Chercheurs to construct the Vie100Glut' study, aimed at improving quality of life for people following a gluten-free diet.
• KaptminorOthersKapt is the web development agency that built and maintains the AFDIAG website. The site credits state 'Fait en France par Kapt'.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Coeliac UK: UK national charity for people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Operates the Crossed Grain certification trademark and provides patient support, restaurant accreditation, and reimbursement advocacy — directly analogous to AFDIAG's mission and revenue mix.
• Celiac Sprue Association (CSA): US-based patient organization providing education, support, and product recognition for the gluten-free community. Comparable as a membership association supporting celiac patients, with its own product recognition program.
• Associazione Italiana Celiachia (AIC): Italian celiac association licensed by AOECS to manage the 'Spiga sbarrata' gluten-free certification in Italy. Comparable as an AOECS affiliate running the same cross-grain trademark licensing model at national scale.
• Deutsche Zöliakie Gesellschaft (DZG): German celiac society administering the 'Durchgestrichene Ähre' crossed-grain certification mark under AOECS. Directly comparable as an AOECS-licensed national association running certification, patient support, and policy advocacy.
• Asociación de Celíacos y Sensibles al Gluten (FACE): Spanish federation of celiac associations, holder of the AOECS-licensed crossed-grain mark in Spain. Comparable as a national patient association combining membership, certification licensing, and restaurant referral.
• Celiac Disease Foundation: US-based nonprofit focused on celiac disease research, diagnosis, and patient support. Comparable as an advocacy and research-funding patient association, though operating without the European certification licensing model.

Emerging players

• Beyond Celiac: US nonprofit accelerating celiac disease research and drug development. Comparable as a research-funding and awareness-driven patient organization, with a more translational medicine orientation than AFDIAG.
• Allergobox: Mobile application helping consumers identify products compatible with dietary restrictions; integrates with AFDIAG's certified products. Comparable as a digital companion in the allergen/gluten-free product discovery space.

Broad incumbents

• AOECS (Association of European Coeliac Societies): European umbrella organization for national celiac societies, including AFDIAG. AOECS sets the standards under which AFDIAG licenses the 'épi barré' mark, making it the upstream regulator and counterpart to all national licensees.

Others

• Gut-Sense / Allô Gutsense: Digital health service connecting users with dietitians on digestive symptoms, promoted by AFDIAG on its website. Comparable as a digitally-delivered dietary support service in the gluten-related pathology category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afdiag-officiel

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AFDIAG