Catering to Gluten-Sensitive Consumers

According to Mintel’s Global New Products Database, the number of new gluten-free products introduced in the United States increased from about 135 in 2003 to 832 in 2008. And gluten-free product sales are expected to grow at a rate of 25% annually for the next several years.

Gluten refers to a naturally occurring, specific complex of proteins found in grains. A 33-amino acid peptide molecule, gluten is not fully digested by some people. Intolerance to peptides that remain following partial dige…