According to a recent Mintel study entitled “Free-from Food Trends,” 43 percent of consumers agree that free-from foods are healthier than foods without a free-from claim. Additionally, another 59 percent agree with the statement that the fewer ingredients a product has, the healthier it is.
For example, the gluten-free food and beverage market has steadily been cementing its position as more than a mere dietary fad. According to market research publisher Packaged Facts, sales of gluten-free foods in the US recorded an annual growth rate of 34% over the five-year period ending in 2014, when market sales reached $973 million.
In addition, almond milk sales have been growing at a rate of 70 – 80% year-on-year in the UK, as consumers look for a dairy-free alternative to their traditional pint of milk.