Gluten Free: The Top 10 Food Trends of 2009
Based on research conducted by The Food Channel one of the Top Food Trends for 2009 are the words gluten free being noted more frequently on labels and menus.
I knew tha
t the words “gluten free” or “allergen free” had to be somewhere amongst this list – and I was thrilled to see it! Everyone knows someone or is someone who is affected by a food allergy or intolerance.
I hope that food manufacturers and restaurants realize that to some of us these dietary habits are more than a “trend” that will come and go. The word “trend” brings to mind fads like pet rocks, leg warmers, fondue pots, mood rings and troll dolls – not my medically needed gluten free diet.
The gluten and allergen free demographic is here to stay!
In 2009 let’s all start to identify and thank those manufacturers and restaurants that recognize allergens and gluten. Write a letter, thank a manager, and tell a friend… that’s a trend that is worth starting and continuing for our gluten free and allergen free lifetimes.
Tags: gluten free trend, Trends
December 30th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Well that’s great news!!! I agree w/ you I don’t like the term trend…its a necessity…that they are realizing…you can have 2 identical products, but I will buy the one that says GLUTEN FREE, because I feel more confident that there’s nothing hidden in there I didn’t notice. I’ve also picked up a product that seemed fine to me when I read the ingredients, only to see at the very bottom allergy warning contains, milk, wheat, soy…and gone WTH, where??? I’d missed it when reading the 3000 ingredients, but because there was an allergy warning on it, I knew not to feed it to my son!
January 2nd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
It’s encouraging to know that more and more stores are selling gluten-free products. I agree that this cannot be a trend, but a shift towards change that is going to stay as more people become aware of celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and food allergies.
Anecdotally I can say that I run into many people who tell me they see gluten free products at their grocery stores. They usually tell me this when I explain that I am gluten intolerant. It has actually been a great segway to explaining what celiac disease is. Many people see the products, notice the words “gluten-free”, but they actually don’t know what it means. I use these moments as opportunity to spread the word. In a small way, the signs and the products are helping us do outreach and educate others.
Jennifer
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Thanks Michelle and Jennifer for your posts!
I agree! It is so important for all of us to keep spreading the word about what it means to be on a gluten free or allergen free diet. Awareness and education is so important!
Be Free!
Kathleen
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:48 am
I thought there was a law enacted by the FDA in July 2006 stating that the term “gluten free” or not gluten free had to appear on labels. That would certainly make shopping faster and easier! I was diagnosed with CD in my early 50’s (now in late 50’s). Gluten free food has made great strides in taste and texture, but I still make my own bread as I don’t like the texture of the bread available in the market.