Abstract
The awareness and complexity of food allergies and intolerance are undoubtedly rising rapidly in the UK. Is the free-from foods market rising to this new challenge or adding to the issues?
Food and drink targeted at consumers with specific food intolerances or allergies is referred to in this report as free-from food. It is a small but burgeoning sector; aided by increased space on supermarket shelves; it has left the medical domain and has become relevant to a wider consumer base. Dairy alternatives, such as soya milk, have found particular resonance with consumers.
This report examines the UK retail market for foods that are manufactured and targeted specifically at consumers who suffer from food intolerance and/or food allergies or who are following avoidance diets.
A food allergy is the immune system' s reaction to proteins in food products. Thus only foods with proteins can evoke an allergy. This is more immediate.
Food intolerance does not involve the immune system, and is a delayed response, sometimes up to days, thus is more difficult to diagnose and could be a combination of foods.
The general term to cover food allergy and food intolerance is food hypersensitivity.
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