In recent years, the demand for gluten-free food and beverage products has increased due to the prevalence of celiac disease among a large number of the population, and it is now considered a major health issue. Patients have to suffer from various diseases once they get affected by celiac disease, such as lactose intolerance, joint or bone pain, mental health problems, infertility, weight loss, dermatitis herpetiformis, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, eating disorders, iron deficiency, aphthous stomatitis, and others. Due to the severity of the disease's symptoms and effects, the patient must adhere to a gluten-free diet for the rest of his or her life, for which market players have launched gluten-free food items to assist people in adhering to their diet. Moreover, apart from celiac disease, there are other diseases and factors that are leading people towards a gluten-free diet, such as gluten ataxia, non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), and wheat allergies, among others.
Segments of the Market
The global gluten free food and beverage market is divided into product and distribution channels. On the basis of products, the market is subdivided into food, including bakery products, cereals, pizza, pasta, baby food, savory and sweet snacks, desserts and ice cream, meat and meat substitute products, and beverages, including juices, alcoholic beverages, functional beverages, and carbonated soft drinks, among others. Further, on the basis of distribution channel, the market is subdivided into supermarkets and hypermarkets, specialty stores, drugstores and pharmacies, online retail stores, and others.
Recent Developments
Key market companies such as The Kraft Heinz Co., General Mills, Inc., The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., Conagra Brands, Inc., Kellogg Co., Noumi Limited, Prime Foods Ltd., Mondelez International Inc., Freedom Foods Group Ltd., ConAgra Foods Inc., and others are assisting in the market’s growth significantly with their mergers, acquisitions, new product launches, and other activities. In addition, new market players are also making their debut in the gluten-free food items market, which is further propelling the market’s growth. Some of the recent market developments include:
• In November 2022, Sempera Organics, a biotechnology company that is focused on creating planet-friendly mushrooms, launched its new food product, Mamu, a new sustainable and gourmet food that is soy, cholesterol, and gluten-free and contains no known allergens. It is a natural and meat-free food made with three types of mushrooms (king oyster, shiitake, and button mushrooms) and chickpeas. Mamu contains 18% of the daily fiber intake, as well as nutrients, antioxidants, and prebiotics.
• In November 2022, BOOP Bakery, a new market player, made its debut with its Cranberry Cookie product. The cookies are made with California dates, whole grain rolled oats, organic flax seeds, and organic chia seeds. In addition, these are free from any artificial ingredient (flavor or color), refined sugar, refined flour, gluten, soy, butter, trans fats, cholesterol, and GMOs.
• In October 2022, Daring Foods, a leading plant-based chicken brand, announced its partnership with Bluestone Lane, an Australian café and restaurant. In this partnership, Bluestone will offer Daring Foods’ gluten-free, non-GMO, and plant-based chicken to its customers.
• In November 2022, Sweetgreen, an American restaurant chain, announced its new dessert item, "Crispy Rice Treat," which is made with gluten-free grains (quinoa, organic brown rice, and puffed millet), roasted sunflower seeds, honey, and butter.
• In November 2022, Califia Farms, a plant-based beverage brand, announced a new item to its dairy-free products called "Heavy Whip," a substitute for whip cream in cooking and baking. The suggested retail price for a 16.9 oz carton of Heavy Whip in a chilled version is $4.89. It is gluten-free and has a base of coconut oil. Similar to other Califia products, Heavy Whip is made with simple, dairy-free, plant-based ingredients and is vegan, non-GMO, and kosher (foods that follow the strict dietary regulations of Judaism).
• In October 2022, JUST Egg, America’s fastest growing plant-based egg brand, launched its new breakfast product called MingsBings with four flavors, including plant-based egg and cheese; plant-based sausage, egg, and cheese; plant-based chorizo, egg, and cheese; and plant-based veggie, egg, and cheese. All of these flavors are gluten- and dairy-free.
Conclusion
Gluten causes various health issues for people who are allergic to it, such as celiac disease. According to research done by Clinial Gastroenterology and Hepatology, people with celiac disease have a higher chance of developing cancer; however, this risk is increased in those who are diagnosed after the age of 40 and is most common in the first year following diagnosis. Hence, the greater awareness and understanding of celiac disease and its link to gluten consumption is growing the demand for gluten-free food items. In addition, market players are offering numerous variations and ranges of gluten-free food and beverages that include healthy grains, seeds, or legumes such as arrowroot, corn, beans, cassava, yucca, potatoes, and others, giving better diet options to the gluten-allergic population. Due to all such factors, the global gluten free food and beverage market is growing, according to OMR Research, with a significant CAGR during the forecast period (2023–2029).