Free From FAQ’s
What is Free From Food ?
Free From is a catch-all term used to denote food and drink that has been designed to exclude one or more ingredients to which at least some consumers can have either an allergic or an intolerance.
What is an allergy?
An allergy is usually defined as a specific response by the immune system to a substance which it mistakenly believes to be harmful. The Food Standards Agency requires that the presence of 12 specific allergens is highlighted on product labels. These are:
- cereals containing gluten
- crustaceans, mollusks and fish
- eggs
- peanuts
- nuts
- soybeans
- milk
- celery
- mustard
- sesame
- lupin
- sulphur dioxide (if above 10mg/kg, or 10 mg/litre)
What is an intolerance?
Some people suffer adverse reactions to substances, particularly foods, which have not sparked an immune system response. These responses are normally classed as intolerances or sensitivities and have a very wide range of causes, symptoms and degrees of severity. Some conditions, such as coeliac disease or phenylketonuria are caused by specific foods or food components, such as gluten or the amino acid phenylalanine respectively.
What are the most popular types of Free From food and drink ?
A survey of supermarkets and natural food retailers would indicate that the most commercially significant sectors of the Free From market are:
- Wheat Free / Gluten Free (flours, cakes, biscuits, pasta, bread)
- Cow Dairy Free ( Milk, yoghurt, butter, desserts, cheese)
- Nut Free (cakes, biscuits, chocolates, sweets, sauces)
- Egg Free (cakes, mayonnaise)
Products made without sugar (sucrose) such as jam and chocolate appear less popular than in the past. Mintel estimates that around 50% of the free-from market is dairy-free.
What is the size of the market for Free From food and drink ?
Mintel estimate the current size of the UK Free From market as around £213 million per year at retail (2009). Mintel forecasts that the UK market for Free From will reach £280m by 2012 with growth coming from “restricters” rather than allergic or intolerant consumers. Only 30% of UK shoppers currently buy into free-from, 10% because of a food intolerance and 20% because they see it as a healthy option (Mintel).