Temecula Valley Hospital Achieves National Certification as a Gluten-Free Food Service Facility
Temecula Valley Hospital (TVH) has achieved certification as a Gluten-Free Food Service program, making it the first hospital in California to achieve this status. The TVH nutrition team met the rigorous standards and expectations for safety required to achieve this honor. The team is proud to serve delicious meals for any diet preference on a daily basis and this designation demonstrates their commitment to providing quality food for patients and the community.
The Gluten-Free Food Service (GFFS) audits and validates restaurants and food businesses that serve gluten-free food. The GFFS validation program is part of a non-profit organization that has been serving the needs of the gluten-free community for several years. Their mission is to make life easier for everyone living gluten-free and TVH is pleased to be part of this program.
“We are very proud to have been awarded this designation,” said Darlene Wetton, CEO, TVH. “At TVH, it is our mission to deliver exceptional and compassionate patient care and that includes being sensitive to the dietary requirements of those we serve. Our new GFFS certification means that we can proudly support our patients by providing gluten-free food that is safe for their condition.”
Awards and Accreditations
Carrie Duran, Registered Dietician, Director of Nutrition Services at TVH added, “It is an honor that TVH is now recognized as a Gluten-Free Safe Spot. We achieved a 100% passing score on our audit, which is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the food and nutrition services team here. It’s exciting to be able to expand our menu offering to meet the dietary needs of our patients and community.”
TVH will be displaying the validated Gluten-Free Safe Spot logo throughout the hospital to represent the independent verification of quality, integrity and purity of businesses serving gluten-free food. Validation as a Gluten-Free Safe Spot establishes trust with gluten-free patrons in the ability of a facility to provide safe gluten-free food.
Established in 2009, GFFS has held its food service establishments to the highest standards. Consumers recognize locations validated as Gluten-Free Safe Spots serve gluten-free food that meets the nonprofit GFFS’s rigorous standards and expectations for safety. GFFS validates participating establishments, from restaurants to college dining, senior living, hospitals and more, by visiting locations in-person to ensure they follow best practices for gluten-free food safety and ensure high-quality staff training.