Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Defence

Allow Coeliacs to serve in the Royal Navy and other British Armed Force Branches

Closed 68 signatures

What the petition asks

To allow sufferers of coeliac disease to join any of the UK forces PROVIDING they sign a disclaimer in the event they may suffer symptoms, or view each case for joining on a case by case basis as symptoms can vary.
Currently, anyone suffering with a gluten intolerance cannot join the UK armed forces. However the Army, Royal Navy and RAF cater for those requiring Halal, Kosher and Vegetarian meals. This is discrimination against a non-life threatening food intolerance which can easily be dealt with.

I have wanted to join the Royal Marines and have been counting down the days till I can, until I got diagnosed with Coeliac Disease. Coeliacs make up 1% of the population ( with a potential 97% living undiagnosed ) so a large majority who want to get in to the armed forces can choose to not get diagnosed at a risk of their health which is worse than the forces spending a small amount of money to cater for us.

Timeline

12 Jul 2021 Petition opened for signatures
12 Jan 2022 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 68
Status Closed
Department Ministry of Defence
Opened 12 Jul 2021
Closed 12 Jan 2022

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.