An increasing variety of applications, tools, and technologies are emerging to support consumers with food allergies, particularly those affected by celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. These resources assist consumers—especially those with specific dietary needs in their households—in conducting product research, simplifying the fulfillment of special dietary requirements, and ensuring that their food is safe to consume. While the Food and Drug Administration reports that only 2% of adults in the U.S. and 5% of infants and young children have food allergies, for these individuals, consuming products containing harmful allergens can lead to serious health issues, and in some cases, it can be life-threatening.
For the approximately 1% of the population diagnosed with celiac disease who must adhere to a strict gluten-free diet to maintain their health, finding safe dining options or quick meal solutions can be challenging. Research suggests that an additional 5 to 10% of the population may experience gluten sensitivity and could benefit from avoiding gluten. The gluten-free packaged food market is on the rise and is projected to reach $5.28 billion by 2022. This presents a substantial opportunity for restaurants and foodservice operators to address the needs of this underserved consumer segment, as well as others following special diets.
The introduction of the portable gluten sensor, Nima, could be significant for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. While consumers generally prefer to trust that food manufacturers are accurately processing, handling, labeling, and selling foods that are safe for individuals with gluten intolerance, this trust is sometimes misplaced, as revealed by Nima’s findings. Cross-contamination of food products is a major concern, particularly in foodservice environments where it can be difficult to manage.
With Nima, consumers can verify whether their food meets gluten-free standards and is safe to eat. Nima is also investigating applications for other food allergies, including peanut and nut allergies. While beneficial for consumers, tools like Nima can create challenges for some food manufacturers. When consumers identify a product as unsafe, they are likely to abandon these products and share their experiences in the food allergy community and on social media. This was the case for General Mills when it altered its oat manufacturing process to label its Cheerios cereal as gluten-free. Within weeks of launching the reformulated product, the company recalled 1.8 million boxes of original and Honey Nut Cheerios that were mistakenly labeled gluten-free but contained wheat. The FDA received numerous complaints from consumers who fell ill after consuming the cereal, highlighting the critical need for product transparency in the food industry.
Consumers are increasingly demanding transparency and want to understand how their food products are sourced, produced, processed, shipped, and handled. As many industry experts have noted, transparency is no longer optional—it is essential. Manufacturers who proactively embrace transparency are best positioned to build or restore consumer trust. For instance, retailers like Costco, with their Kirkland brand, offer products like calcium citrate, which appeal to health-conscious consumers while highlighting the importance of clear labeling and ingredient sourcing. By ensuring transparency and quality, manufacturers can cater to the growing segment of consumers with special dietary needs, including those who rely on calcium citrate for their dietary supplement needs.