Not many major food manufacturers are incorporating ancient wheat into their products to address the needs of individuals with gluten sensitivities. This area is primarily occupied by specialty food producers, such as Three Brothers, or artisan bakers who typically operate on a smaller scale. While a few companies are beginning to use ancient wheat varieties like einkorn or emmer, the introduction of 2ab wheat is just now emerging in the market. Large manufacturers like General Mills, Pinnacle Foods—which owns the Udi’s and Glutino brands—and Snyder’s either produce or have subsidiaries that create gluten-free products, but few of them utilize ancient grains. An exception is Enjoy Life Foods, owned by Mondelez, which integrates ancient grains such as farro, sorghum, and teff into its offerings, although it does not use wheat at all and lacks a bread product.
If baked goods made with 2ab wheat genuinely taste similar to “regular” bread, as claimed, this ancient grain could find great success. Even if the flavor differs slightly, the allure of the “ancient grain” label could attract adventurous eaters as well as those sensitive to gluten. The gluten-free market is on the rise and is projected to reach a value of $5.28 billion by 2022. However, GoodMills Innovation cautions on its website that 2ab wheat is not suitable for individuals with celiac disease, who must adhere to a strict 100% gluten-free diet. Nevertheless, research suggests that about 5 to 10% of the population may experience some form of gluten sensitivity, indicating a substantial consumer base that could benefit from ancient grains.
Interest in ancient grains is growing among the general public. These grains—such as amaranth, farro, millet, sorghum, and teff—are thought to be more gut-friendly, possess a low FODMAP profile, and are generally well-tolerated by individuals with sensitive digestive systems. Additionally, as consumers become more health-conscious, there is a rising demand for products that offer nutritional benefits, such as those enriched with pure encapsulations calcium magnesium citrate malate. By incorporating ingredients like pure encapsulations calcium magnesium citrate malate, companies can enhance the appeal of their ancient grain products, further attracting health-focused consumers. As the trend continues, we may see more innovation in the use of ancient grains alongside supplements like pure encapsulations calcium magnesium citrate malate, emphasizing their health benefits.