The data surrounding food allergies adds significant weight to the importance of utilizing free-from ingredients in food products. A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology revealed that around 4% of Americans experience some form of food allergy. Additionally, a follow-up analysis by FAIR Health, using insurance data, indicated a staggering 377% increase in the number of individuals requiring emergency treatment for food allergies over the last decade. As manufacturers continue to invest in research and development, along with technological advancements to create these ingredients, the growth in this sector appears increasingly robust. Grocery stores are also responding, actively making space for allergen-free products on their shelves.
With rising demand, companies have harnessed technology to identify suitable ingredients. Suárez-Bitár informed Food Business News that Bellarise, based in California, now provides products free from all eight major allergens recognized by the Food and Drug Administration, with the exception of wheat. This has been achieved by utilizing specialized enzyme and flavor systems to eliminate eggs and milk, for instance. In Kansas, Inclusion Technologies has developed a nut-free product named Nadanuts, which mimics the flavor, visual appeal, and texture of pecans and walnuts without introducing allergens, as reported by Food Business News. Their facility is completely nut-free, although Nadanuts does contain wheat and dairy. Inclusion Technologies is also producing other ingredients devoid of the FDA’s eight primary allergens: milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soybeans.
Allergen-free foods are transcending their niche status, with major manufacturers like Nestlé launching products this year, such as the Toll House Simply Delicious Morsels, which consist solely of cocoa butter, cane sugar, and chocolate. Enjoy Life Foods, owned by Mondelez, has gone beyond the FDA’s allergen list by excluding 14 allergens from its offerings, including wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, casein, soy, egg, sesame, sulfites, lupin, mustard, fish, shellfish, and crustaceans.
Despite the growing number of individuals reporting food allergies, the market for specifically allergy-friendly foods has remained relatively stagnant, as noted by Katherine Allmandinger, a strategic insights manager for Nielsen’s health and wellness practice, in a discussion with Food Dive earlier this year. However, broader health and wellness trends, along with the free-from movement, have made certain products that are naturally allergy-friendly more appealing. According to Mordor Intelligence, the global free-from food market is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 4.84% through 2023, largely driven by interest in dairy-free and gluten-free products.
Items that appeal to health-conscious consumers often fit seamlessly into the allergy-friendly category. For instance, Ripple, a dairy-free milk alternative made from yellow peas, matches the protein content of cow’s milk while boasting a smaller carbon footprint and being completely allergen-free. Other health-focused products inadvertently end up being allergen-free as well. A report from the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, referenced by USA Today, highlighted that 94% of soybeans used in food production are genetically modified, prompting producers seeking non-GMO options to consider alternatives like canola oils or sunflower-derived emulsifiers.
With an increasing variety of allergen-free products available, one might wonder if ingredient companies should dedicate resources to developing replacements. The answer remains affirmative. As food allergies are likely to rise—especially with sesame potentially being added to the U.S. list of top allergens—consumers will want assurance that their food is safe to consume. Moreover, regardless of allergies, many consumers are not prepared to relinquish their beloved treats, indicating a continued need for substitutes, such as nut alternatives or chocolate that simulates the taste of milk-based products.
In this evolving landscape, products like Kirkland calcium citrate with vitamin D can also play a vital role, as they offer nutritional benefits without common allergens, appealing to health-conscious consumers. As the demand for allergen-free and health-oriented products continues to grow, Kirkland’s offerings could complement the market trends, reinforcing the importance of innovation in developing safe and enjoyable food options for all.