Producers and retailers

Welcome to the part of our website for food producers and retailers. We are always keen to talk to companies interested in gluten-free food and maintain strong links with key organisations in the industry. Please feel free to contact us about any aspect of gluten-free and we will do our best to help.

 A Growing Market

Over the last 5 years, the retail market for gluten-free foods has grown dramatically. Today, a wide range of 'Free From' foods is available in supermarkets and other outlets around the country. Frozen, chilled or ambient - from yorkshire puds to pitta breads and naan, the range grows in both breadth and depth.

According to the latest Mintel report from January 2006, gluten-free in retail is estimated to be worth around £48 million per annum in 2005 alone and has more than doubled since 2002.  It is now the biggest sector of the 'Free From' category, having overtaken dairy free.

People with coeliac disease are the core gluten-free consumers, eating a gluten-free diet out of necessity, not choice - for life. Thanks to increased diagnosis and awareness, every year, an estimated 10,000 people are diagnosed with coeliac disease, adding to the 150,000 already diagnosed.

Not just 'Free From'

Free From alternatives have undoubtedly contributed to a greater variety in a gluten-free diet, but such products are often 4 or 5 times the price of the standard variety. So, everyday foods that are gluten-free are vital components of a coeliac shopping basket. Our research suggests that the coeliac consumer is looking for:

• Value for money, convenience, quality, flavour and a healthy diet
• Mainstream brands which happen to be gluten-free
• Allternatives for a varied diet, not simply substitutes
• Brands they can trust

Labelling - a key issue

Since November 2005, new EU regulations (2003/89EC) mean that all ingredients and allergens must be identified. This includes gluten. Currently, the daily queries that we get from manufacturers and consumers show that both groups are confused - manufacturers about what to label  and consumers about how to interpret the information. However, working with us at Coeliac UK will benefit both manufacturers and gluten-free consumers because we maintain a close relationship with both groups.

In consultation

Coeliac UK is currently participating in a number of Food Standards Agency consultations on labelling. These include;

• the provision of allergen Information for food sold loose or prepacked for direct sale.  the labelling of loose foods (non-prepacked) and the 'may contain'  guidelines.
• draft guidance on allergen control and consumer information

New research into gluten thresholds

We have recently been awarded a grant by the Food Standards Agency to review the literature on gluten-free threshold levels for labelling purposes. The results will be reported later this year.