On the backdrop of growing awareness about the dangers caused by allergies and the increasing number of consumers with allergies and sensitivities, manufacturers are increasingly exploring new products, reports IngredientsNews. By 2026, it is anticipated that one in two people will have an allergy, and in 2022, it was the number one reported condition, according to the British medical organization Allergy UK.

Industry Support for Allergens and Sensitivities

The food sector has made strides in preparing to support consumers with allergens and sensitivities. A research study shows that, as of 2021, 66 countries had mandatory labeling requirements to identify common food allergens.

However, while these legally require manufacturers to declare the use of allergenic ingredients in prepackaged foods, there is a lack of uniformity in the list of mandatory allergens.

"This is a major improvement compared to 20 years ago, but there is much to be done to better protect the food-allergic consumer," said Angela Johnson, a registered dietitian and manager of diet and nutrition information for HealthFocus, to Ingredients Network.

For example, there is no universal standard for food allergen labeling. While most require labels to indicate "the big 8" - milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soy - some countries have stronger legislation requiring the listing of foods containing additional allergens.

More than 80 countries have no requirements regarding allergen labeling. "This inconsistency is obviously problematic, and the goal is to reach a global consensus," says Johnson.

In response, the World Allergy Organization (WAO) is trying to bring together the food industry, regulators, and international organizations to establish mandatory allergen labeling and set standards for cross-contamination, standardized allergen detection methods, and best practices.

Managing Allergies and Sensitivities by Consumers

Campaigns like Allergy Awareness Week highlight the launch of allergy-free products as manufacturers strive to support the 28% of adults registered in 2023 as trying to manage or treat a food allergy or sensitivity, according to a Hartman health study.

The consensus is that living with a food allergy is a lot of work. "Constant vigilance, the need to research any new product you want to try, the worry and fear about eating out or in others' homes... for many, it's literally a matter of life and death every day," says Johnson.

Managing dietary allergies and sensitivities is often very costly. "In the US area where I live, a gluten-free loaf of bread costs between $7 and $10, while a wheat loaf can sometimes cost as little as a dollar or two," says Johnson. The same cost ratio between regular products and those without allergens applies to dairy-free cheese and yogurt and many other allergen-free foods, adds Johnson.

More Allergen-Free Products Entering the Market?

Sales of foods labeled as allergy-friendly increased by 25% for the year ended February 26, 2023, with units increasing by 8.7%, detailed the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), according to Circana findings. In the year ended June 18, 2023, unit sales of cookies and snack bars free from the top nine allergens increased by 11%, according to SPINS data.

"I think we will see more allergen-free products on the market," says Johnson. While in the past, consumers had to go to a specialty store for these niche products, today's supermarkets carry gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or other specially formulated foods to avoid one or more allergens.

"Additionally, unfortunately, food allergies are on the rise, with prevalence more than doubling since 1960," says Johnson. Although the prevalence of a true food allergy is still around 1 in 10 people, Johnson adds that many others have a less severe but problematic intolerance to common food allergens, and these consumers also buy allergen-free products.

According to new data from the HealthFocus Global Trend Study 2024, over a third of global consumers (34%) are very concerned about food allergies, and about 10% say they are personally affected. Younger consumers and parents are particularly worried.

South Asia has the highest number of consumers extremely or very concerned about food allergies such as gluten and lactose, with nearly 49% of buyers worried. HealthFocus International findings reveal that the Middle East and Africa (MEA) ranks second, with 42%, followed by Latin America (36%) and East Asia Pacific (33%).

Allergen-Free

With the rise of vegan products, manufacturers are creating foods that eliminate two common allergens - milk and eggs. "Manufacturers can expand their allergic consumer base by making products that avoid two or more food allergens," says Johnson. "Some manufacturers are even creating products free from 'the big 8', plus additional ingredients to which fewer people are allergic," adds Johnson.

In the US, "allergen-free" labels are very important to over a quarter of consumers, especially in younger cohorts. The Global Trend Study 2024 also shows that over a quarter (27%) of global consumers actively avoid gluten.

"Free from" claims, including gluten and grains, have a strong niche, with over 35% of consumers saying these are very important on food labels.