Food Allergies Triggers a Multibiollion Dollar "Free From" Market

Filed in archive Food Allergies on June 10, 2008

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 4445859

According to a Washington Post article, food allergies are triggering a multibillion dollar market.

The market for food-allergy and intolerance products is projected to reach $3.9 billion this year, according to Packaged Facts, a New York research firm. And the market for gluten-free foods and drinks is expected to hit $1.3 billion by 2010, up from $700 million in 2006, according to research firm mintel.

I say, hurrah! As a citizen, I probably should be more critical, perhaps suspicious, if, as some of the commenters say, there is indeed some sort of conspiracy that drives this the incidence of food allergies up , thus opening a niche in the market. As a mother of a child with multiple food allergies, however, I'm just glad that there are more and more products coming out in the market catering to the needs of my child.

Aside from the "free from" foods, there are also the manufacturers of medical bracelets and other labels, medications, and other accessories that may be benefiting from the increase in food allergy incidence.

Yes, it's sounds morally unjust that some would benefit from the misery of others. But until there is a better solution, i.e., a method to treat allergies and not just avoid it from getting triggered, I'm glad there are companies catering to our needs.