Gluten-Free Food Industry Worth $4.2 Billion

That's a lot of celiac

As more and more people are being diagnosed with celiac disease and food allergies, the gluten-free foods industry is growing to meet these new dietary needs. A recent report from Packaged Foods estimated that the market for gluten-free products will be worth $4.2 billion in 2012.

Celiac disease sufferers are unable to process gluten – an ingredient found in wheat, barley and rye.  When some with celiac disease inadvertently eats gluten, the lining of their small intestine becomes damaged, which can lead to abdominal pains, diarrhea and vomiting, just to name a few.   Because of this allergy, people must buy food products that are gluten-free.