Purchasing gluten-free products, which are increasingly in demand on the market, costs over 70% more than a traditional diet, with the retail prices of gluten-free foods and drinks experiencing exponential growth.
The turnover reached 400 million euros with one Italian in 5 convinced of the goodness of the celiac diet.
The data comes from a study conducted by the Consumer Training and Research Center (Crc) with Assoutenti.
The survey examines a basket of 10 food products sold in the main large-scale retail chains.
In 3 years, gluten-free products have increased in price by an average of 10%, with peaks of +23.7% for ice cream, while rusks and beer have kept their price lists unchanged - explain the associations - Pasta, one of the gluten-free foods best-selling gluten products in Italy, recorded increases of more than 7%.
But the heaviest differences are found when comparing the cost per kilo of gluten-free products with their traditional counterparts.
With the same brand, the average price spread for the basket examined is 73%: having breakfast with rusks from a well-known large-scale retail chain costs 257% more if you choose the gluten-free package, 41 .6% more if you opt for biscuits from a famous sweets brand.
For a plate of pasta (spaghetti or fusilli) you spend around 110% more.
"The market for gluten-free products is constantly growing, to the point that in 2023 the turnover of the sector reached 400 million - explains Furio Truzzi, president of the Crc - An ever-increasing number of citizens, in fact, choose the gluten free even in the absence of intolerances or allergies: according to the latest estimates, 21% of Italians usually purchase and consume gluten-free products", he concludes.
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