New research shows that the need for a gluten-free
diet is 10 times higher than experts originally predicted. Retailers
should prepare to meet the needs of this growing niche, say two experts
on the gluten-free diet.
This is the message that Shelley Case, RD and Carol Fenster, Ph.D. will
bring to retailers at the Natural Products Expo East trade show on
September 15 at the Washington, DC Convention Center.
Case is a dietitian
who counsels gluten-free patients and the author of Gluten-Free Diet
(www.glutenfreediet.ca) Fenster is a chef who develops gluten-free
products for manufacturers and is the author of Gluten-Free 101( www.glutenfree101.com).
Case and Fenster will explain that this diet is not a fad but a medically
prescribed avoidance of gluten which is a protein in wheat that is
toxic for some people. The two experts will help retailers understand
the medical necessity of the gluten-free diet and how stores can stock
their shelves and market effectively to gluten-free consumers.
“
Food manufacturers are responding to the need for gluten-free products.
According to the Natural Foods Merchandiser, the number of gluten-free
products jumped 88% between 2002 and 2003,”
says Fenster, who has
been gluten-free for 17 years. Total food dollars spent on allergies
and intolerances––gluten-free products are a part of this––will
rise to nearly $4 billion by 2008.
People who need gluten-free diets are those with allergies or intolerances
to wheat or related grains such as barley, rye, spelt, and possibly
oats. Nearly 3 million Americans have celiac disease, an autoimmune
form of gluten intolerance in which gluten damages the ability to absorb
nutrients.
The condition can be fatal if not treated with a gluten-free
diet.
“
There is no magic pill or surgery for gluten intolerance,” says
Case.
“ The only treatment is total avoidance of gluten for
the rest of one’s life. This makes the gluten-free consumer a repeat
buyer––and very attractive to retailers.”
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was first released by Savory Palate Inc.
on 9th September 2005. For further information,
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