(Vocus/PRWEB) April 18, 2011
San Jose, California (PRWEB), April 18, 2011 -- An abnormal reaction in the immune system, stimulated by consumption of specific foods is defined as food allergy. Sometimes even small quantities of allergy-causing food could trigger hives, swollen airways and digestive problems. Food allergy at times results in fatal illnesses or death. Severe cases of food allergy might lead to development of anaphylaxis or celiac disease. Food allergy is often confused with food intolerance, a less severe reaction in which the immune system is not involved. The food allergy and intolerance products market is surging owing to growing demand for ‘free-from’ products. Over the years the market has gradually evolved from a nascent to mainstream food business in several countries driven by a host of factors at both the consumers’ front and the manufacturer’s front.
The escalating consumer base is encouraging manufacturers to invest further in ‘free-from’ foods such as those containing less or no gluten, wheat, lactose, cow’s milk, nuts, egg, soya, and ominous additives. Earlier only few specialty companies offered gluten-free products, but in recent years the market witnessed not only a growing number of specialty food manufacturers but also the mainstream bigwigs including Anheuser-Busch and General Mills entering the fray. The industry is also inundated with a rising number of private label gluten-free products joining the bandwagon. Besides easy availability of allergy free foods at supermarkets and restaurants, greater advertising spend are promoting market expansion.
The United States represents the largest market for food allergy and intolerance products, as stated by the new market research report on Food Allergy and Intolerance Products. Among the available products, Gluten-free foods represent a popular and fast growing segment. Gluten-free foods for long have been targeted at celiac suffers who are required to avoid gluten to lead a healthy life. The products are also embraced by people who perceive that gluten-free diet can help in treatment of disorders such as autism, chronic fatigue, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, multiple sclerosis, migraine and fertility problems. Surprisingly, the consumer base for gluten-free diets comprises a greater proportion of non-celiacs. This is mainly due to growing concerns related to symptoms associated with celiac disease and wrong self-diagnosis among the non-celiac sufferers. Also with celebrities endorsing gluten-free and wheat-free diets as a weight loss regimen, more people are taking interest in gluten free products, and embracing it as part of their lifestyles.
With the proliferating demand for gluten-free products, manufacturers are increasingly focusing on improving the taste and texture. The market witnessed an avalanche of new product launches in 2010 with savory snacks, energy bars, baking ingredients/mixes, chocolates, and cookies topping the list of new gluten-free introductions. Consumers now have a variety of options to choose from in the baked products category including baking mixes, breads, bagels, muffins, entrees, cakes, cookies, doughnuts, baking mixes, pastas, pizza, cereals, snack foods, and soups. Besides a variety of gluten-free grains, starches, flours, and seeds are available to make baked items. The huge rise in demand for lactose free products has also led several companies to focus on formulation of dairy-free products, through modification of the processing techniques and dosages.
Gluten intolerance is estimated to be prevalent in about 10% of the US population in one form or the other, while Celiac disease’ prevalence is estimated at 0.35-1%. Though awareness about gluten-intolerance is on rise, diagnosis remains at an abysmally low level. The US represents the world’s largest market for gluten-free products owing to the highly developed processed food market in the country. Many countries have already established or are establishing regulations for governing labeling of allergy invoking foods & ingredients.
Select major players profiled in the report include Alpro UK Ltd, Amy’s Kitchen, Dr Schar, Nutrition Point Ltd, Enjoy Life Natural Brands LLC, Gluten Free Foods Ltd, Glutino Food Group, Livwell Ltd, Pamela’s Products, Semper AB, General Mills, among others.
The research report titled “Food Allergy and Intolerance Products: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a strategic review of the key market trends, recent product launches, strategic corporate initiatives, and profiles of key market participants. The report provides annual sales estimates and projections for Food Allergy and Intolerance Products market for the years 2009 through 2017, and 2003 to 2008 by the following geographic markets - US, Europe, and Rest of World. Key Segments analyzed include Gluten-free Products and Other Food Allergy and Intolerance Products.
For more details about this comprehensive market research report, please visit – http://www.strategyr.com/Food_Allergy_and_Intolerance_Products_Market_Report.asp
About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company is globally recognized as one of the world’s largest market research publishers. The company employs over 800 people worldwide and publishes more than 1200 full-scale research reports each year. Additionally, the company also offers thousands of smaller research products including company reports, market trend reports, and industry reports encompassing all major industries worldwide.
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