Why is Gluten-Free Food So Expensive?

The rise of gluten-free diets has been rapid and it is now estimated that more than 20% of the U.S. population has either tried the diet, or is on the diet right now. Meanwhile, in the UK, around 15% are now avoiding gluten in their food. Reasons are numerous, ranging from health conditions like coeliac disease, to a desire to gain health benefits.

With that said, one frustration that many people encounter when adopting a gluten-free lifestyle is the higher price of gluten-free food. In this post, we explore why gluten-free food is so expensive and offer some practical advice.

The Cost of Eating Gluten-Free

If you go to a supermarket and look for gluten-free foods, you will find that they are almost always more expensive than their gluten-containing counterparts. However, you do not need to rely on anecdotal evidence. A 2018 study found that mass-market gluten-free foods were 139% more expensive than the wheat-based version of the same product.

This actually represents a significant decrease in price from a similar study from 2008, which put the figure at 242%.

Regardless of the precise figure, it is clear that if you want gluten-free bread, gluten-free pasta, or gluten-free snacks, you are going to pay extra for them. So what is behind this kind of price discrepancy?

Understanding the Underlying Causes

As an article published by the BBC explains, one of the biggest reasons for gluten-free foods being more expensive is the fact that these items are more difficult to sell in large quantities. This reduces the number of sales that fixed manufacturing costs can be spread out against, resulting in higher prices to cover those costs.

There are other factors at play too. For instance, manufacturers have to take extra precautions when producing food that is free from gluten, in order to avoid cross-contamination. This often means more manufacturing space is required and the workforce may need a greater level of expertise, which means higher salaries.

Furthermore, a HuffPost article on the subject provides a manufacturer’s point of view. Among the arguments presented are the fact that special machinery is required to produce gluten-free foods and these are often harder to clean. Many gluten-free foods also contain a greater number of ingredients than the conventional version.

Similar issues also appear within the restaurant industry. A restaurant offering gluten-free menu items may charge more than they charge for the conventional versions. This is because gluten-free food preparation requires more training and a dedicated work area that needs to be kept free from cross-contamination. All of this comes at a cost to the restaurant.

A Recap of the Factors Driving Up Gluten-Free Food Prices

Gluten-free food tends to be more expensive due to a combination of factors:

1. Specialized Production: Gluten-free products often require separate manufacturing facilities to prevent cross-contamination with gluten-containing products, leading to increased production costs.
2. Certification and Testing: Products labeled as gluten-free must adhere to strict standards and undergo regular testing to ensure they meet regulatory requirements, which can be costly.
3. High-Quality Ingredients: Gluten-free products frequently use alternative ingredients that are more expensive than traditional wheat flour, such as almond flour, rice flour, or xanthan gum.
4. Lower Economies of Scale: The market for gluten-free products is smaller, leading to smaller production runs and higher per-unit costs.
5. Research and Development: Creating gluten-free products that match the taste and texture of their gluten-containing counterparts can require significant research and development efforts.
6. Marketing and Distribution: Gluten-free products are often marketed as specialty items and may incur higher costs for marketing and distribution.

While these factors contribute to the higher cost of gluten-free products, the increasing demand for such products may lead to more competitive pricing and more affordable options in the future.

The Best Solutions for Consumers

Whether you are eating a gluten-free diet by choice, or because you have a health condition that necessitates it, there are some potential solutions to the issue of gluten-free foods being so expensive.

One option is to try to base the majority of your diet around foods that are naturally gluten-free, rather than foods that have had to be manufactured to become gluten-free. Examples of naturally gluten-free foods include fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, nuts, legumes, potato, rice, gluten-free oats, beans, quinoa and soy.

This is not to say you should avoid gluten-free processed foods entirely, unless you want to. It can be important for people shifting to a gluten-free diet to have access to food types that they are used to. However, if the majority of your diet is based around naturally gluten-free foods, the increased costs will be far less noticeable.

We also recommend planning meals carefully. Look for special offers and try to bulk-buy items. However, do so carefully, in order to avoid waste. You may also naturally find that as you switch to a gluten-free diet based around natural foods, you eat less. This is because the foods you eat will be highly nutritious and keep you feeling full for longer. In particular, try to pack in some foods that are high in fibre, as this can help to reduce feelings of hunger between meals.