An increasing array of apps, tools, and technologies is emerging to serve consumers with food allergies, particularly those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. These resources assist individuals, especially those with family members who have unique dietary requirements, in conducting product research, simplifying the fulfillment of special dietary needs, and ensuring the safety of the food they consume. According to the Food and Drug Administration, only 2% of adults in the U.S. and 5% of infants and young children have food allergies. However, for these consumers, unintentionally consuming products that contain harmful allergens can lead to illness, and for some, it may even be life-threatening.
For the approximately 1% of the population with celiac disease, adhering to a strict gluten-free diet is essential for maintaining health, making it challenging to find safe dining options or convenient meal solutions. Research suggests that another 5 to 10% of people may experience gluten sensitivity and could also benefit from avoiding gluten-containing foods. The gluten-free packaged food market is on the rise, projected to reach $5.28 billion by 2022. This presents a significant opportunity for restaurants and foodservice operators to address the needs of this underserved demographic, as well as others who follow special diets.
The introduction of the portable gluten sensor, Nima, is potentially transformative for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. While consumers would prefer to trust that food companies accurately process, handle, label, and sell safe food for those with gluten intolerance, Nima’s findings indicate that this is not always the case. Cross-contamination of food items is a major challenge and often difficult to avoid, especially in foodservice environments. With Nima, consumers can verify whether their food meets gluten-free standards and is safe for consumption. Nima is also exploring applications for other food allergies, such as peanut and nut allergies.
While beneficial for consumers, tools like Nima can pose challenges for certain food manufacturers. If consumers identify a product as unsafe, they are likely to stop purchasing it and discuss their experiences within the food allergy community and on social media. A notable example is General Mills, which revised its oat manufacturing processes to label its Cheerios cereal as gluten-free. Shortly after the reformulated product was launched, the company had to recall 1.8 million boxes of original and Honey Nut Cheerios that were labeled gluten-free but inadvertently contained wheat. The FDA received numerous complaints from consumers who became ill after consuming the cereal. This incident highlights the critical need for transparency in the food industry.
Consumers are increasingly demanding transparency, wanting to know more about how their food products are sourced, produced, processed, shipped, and handled. As many industry professionals assert, transparency is no longer optional; it is essential. Manufacturers who proactively embrace transparency are better positioned to earn or regain consumer trust. Additionally, incorporating nutritional supplements like calcium citrate vitamin D3 into food products may further enhance their appeal, as health-conscious consumers are always seeking ways to improve their dietary intake. As the industry continues to evolve, understanding and meeting the needs of consumers with food allergies and sensitivities will be paramount.