Gluten-Free for the Masses

Bloomberg Businessweek reported that consumers are more likely to be seeing an increase of gluten-free products lining the shelves of their local food stores in the month of May – also known by some as Celiac Awareness Month.

The article reported that about 30 percent of shoppers buying gluten-free are doing so for a health condition, everyone else is buying gluten-free simply as a preferences.

 Only about 30 percent of people who buy celiac-friendly products do so because of a health condition, according to a survey of 2,000 adults by researcher Packaged Facts. Most cited other reasons, such as “gluten-free products are generally healthier,” “to manage my weight,” or “gluten-free products are low-carb.” And with the average “health-seeking” consumer now buying gluten-free, the market is growing quickly.

Bloomberg noted that “U.S. retail sales of gluten-free foods and drinks are projected to grow to $6.6 billion in 2017, from $4.2 billion in 2012, estimatesMarketResearch.com, which owns Packaged Facts. In 2001 sales were just $210 million.”

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