FOOD ALLERGY AND INTOLERANCE PRODUCTS MARKET ANALYSIS

Food allergy is caused due to consumption of particular food which stimulates unusual reaction in the immune system of the human body. Food tolerance is caused due to lactose, gluten and sugars and other ingredients which is oppressed by the consumption of gluten-free, sugar-free and lactose-free products such as Dr. Schar classic gluten-free hamburger buns, le veneziane spaghetti corn gluten-free pasta, dairy-free frozen desserts made with rice or soy., gelatin desserts without milk or whipped cream, fruit ices & sorbets. According to American Diabetes Association non-starchy vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, peppers, cucumbers and celery are the one food group that diabetic patients can eat freely, with little or no limitation.

Food allergy is an alarming issue within the consumers as small intake of food causing allergy could lead to swollen airways, digestive problems, trigger hives and also cause death or fatal sickness. Food tolerance as compared to food allergy do not involve the immune system and the symptoms of reaction of the specific food is slower in food tolerance which maybe caused due to a specific food ingredient or chronic illness. Lactose free food products are consumed by lactose intolerant consumers that lack enzymes to digest sugar milk. Similarly, celiac patients are intolerant and are not able to digest gluten food items such as barley, wheat and others.

The global food allergy and intolerance products market is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period due to increase in number of people suffering from food allergies and digestive conditions coupled with the increase in consumption for gluten free, lactose free and sugar free food products. The food allergy and intolerance products market is driven by increasing demand for gluten free and lactose free products, increasing healthcare awareness, availability of intolerance food items in super markets, restaurants and retail stores. Owing to these factors global food allergy and intolerance products market is expected to increase at a significant growth rate over the forecast period (2017-2025).

Food Allergy and Intolerance Products Market Taxonomy

On the basis of product type, the global food allergy and intolerance products market is segmented into:

• Diabetic Food
  • Diabetic Bakery Products
  • Diabetic Confectionery
  • Diabetic Spreads
• Gluten-free Food
  • Gluten-Free Bakery Products
  • Gluten-Free Baby Food
  • Gluten-Free Pasta
  • Gluten-Free Ready meals
• Lactose-free Food
  • Lactose-Free Dairy Products
  • Lactose-Free Ice Cream
  • Lactose-free Baby Food
• Others

On the basis of by distribution channel, the global food allergy and intolerance products market is segmented into:

• Hypermarkets
• Supermarkets
• Mass Merchandisers
• Specialty Stores
• Others

According to Health Canada, the sensitivities due to the reaction of the human immune system to food proteins causes food allergies.

Gluten free products are gaining traction by product innovations by manufactures such as Boulder Brands, Inc. Enjoy Life Natural Brands, Llc, Inc., Dr. Schär AG/SPA,  H.J. Heinz Company and others and FDA regulation which has made the purchasing of gluten free products easier. Energy bars, baking ingredients/mixes, cookies topping, cookies, and savory snacks are some of the luten free products. The global food allergy and intolerance products market is estimated to be driven by various gluten free ingredients such as starches, seeds, flours and grains to make baked items such as bagels, muffins, entrees, cookies, cakes, doughnuts, pastas, and cereals. Lactose free products are also gaining traction due to changing food trends and consumer awareness towards healthier lifestyle and increasing number of diabetic patients across the globe which is expected to drive the global food allergy and intolerance products market during the forecast period.

Food Allergy and Intolerance Products Market Outlook –

North America is expected to be the fastest growing market due to increasing food allergies and sensitivities in U.S. which is anticipated to drive the global food allergy and intolerance products market during the forecast period. North America is followed by Europe and Asia Pacific due to high innovations in food industry and growing consumer awareness for healthy food items among others. Rise in lactose intolerance is expected to drive the lactose free food products due to food allergy and innovations in dairy products.  Spain, Germany, Australia, U.K., Brazil and Italy is expected to have the largest market for gluten free food products such as almond milk, avocados, coconuts, olives, nuts, shellfish, molluscs, bell peppers, cucumber, tomato, zucchini, buckwheat, rice (brown, white, wild), millet, and quinoa along with other products.

Over the couple of decades, specialty food manufacturers of intolerance products and gluten-free food items has increased at a significant rate with technological advancement and product innovations such as Alpro UK Ltd. a U.K. based company has food products which are 100% suitable for people with a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance as all the products are produced plant-based ingredients such as almonds, hazelnut, coconut, rice and oat and therefore naturally free from any animal protein and lactose.

According to - U.S. National Library of Medicine- Lactose intolerance is caused by lactose nonpersistence in which there is reduction in production of lactase after the infancy. The individuals with lactose intolerance may experience bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea, and nausea after consuming lactose-containing products. In congenital lactase deficiency or congenital alactasia, infants are unable to digest lactose present in formula or breast milk. This form of lactose intolerance results in severe diarrhea. The affected infants should be given lactose-free infant formula, otherwise there will be severe weight loss and dehydration in such infants.

Lactose intolerance in infancy resulting from congenital lactase deficiency is a rare disorder. Its incidence is unknown. This condition is most common in Finland, where it affects an estimated 1 fin 60,000 newborns. The ability to digest lactose is reduced after infancy in65% of the global population. 90% of the East Asian descent have lactose intolerance.Lactose intolerance is also very common in people of Arab, West African, Jewish, Italian, and Greek descent. Lactose intolerance prevalence is lowest with people with an elongated history of use unfermented milk containing products as a significant food source. For instance, only 5% of Northern European descendants have lactose intolerance.

Some of the key participating players in the food allergy and intolerance products market are Alpro UK Ltd., Amy's Kitchen, Inc., Barry Callebaut, Daiya Foods Inc., Doves Farm Foods Ltd., Dr. Schar, Ener-G Foods, Inc.,Galaxy Nutritional Foods, Inc., General Mills, Inc., Gluten Free Foods Ltd., Glutino Food Group, Green Valley Organics, Kellogg Company, The Kraft Heinz Company, Nature's Path Foods, Inc., Pamela's Products, Inc., Roma Food Products, Semper AB, Sweet William Pty., Ltd., The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., and others.