Content about Gluten-free diet

If fat, sodium and partially hydrogenated oils were yesterday's undesirable ingredients, the substance many Americans are currently looking to avoid is gluten. A recent NPD survey found that about a third of U.S. adults say they want to cut down or be free of gluten in their diets. More people are being diagnosed with Celiac disease, but even consumers who have no gluten intolerance are opting to eat foods that are free of gluten because they perceive them as healthier.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Thirty-five Giant Food Stores and Martin's Food Markets stores in Pennsylvania and Virginia will sponsor drug take-back events later this month.

The chains, which collectively comprise Ahold USA's Giant-Carlisle banner, will sponsor the events on April 27, in partnership with local law enforcement agencies and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Patients can bring expired and unwanted medications, which will be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner for free.

NEW YORK — Twinlab on Friday launched CleanSeries, a portfolio of sports nutrition products certified gluten-free and independently certified by the NSF International product certification program to verify the products meet nutrient label claims. The company also announced that celebrity fitness guru Joel Harper has officially joined as spokesman for the company’s CleanSeries product line.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Canadian pharmacy retailer Rexall has unveiled its new flagship private brand, Be.better, a line of more than 100 products available exclusively at the more than 300 corporate Rexall and Rexall Pharma Plus stores.

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — More than five-dozen Albertsons stores in the West will start selling gluten-free frozen pizzas this month.

Better4U Foods said Friday that 63 stores in Albertsons' Intermountain West Division — which includes Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming — would stock the pizzas. Pizza varieties will include Gluten-Free Four Cheese, Gluten-Free Uncured Pepperoni and the vegan Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Roasted Vegetable.

LOVE’S PARK, Ill. — Crunchmaster has added kid-friendly snack crisps to its lineup of gluten-free crackers.

Crunchmaster Crisps are made with a blend of California brown rice, whole corn, whole sorghum and other gluten-free grains. They are made from 100% whole grains, are peanut-free and certified gluten-free by the Gluten Free Certification Organization. The snacks contain 3 g of fat per 30-g serving, and are a good fit for consumers' healthy lifestyles.

DENVER — Udi's Gluten Free Foods is boosting its portfolio with the launch of five new items. The products were showcased at the Natural Products Expo East.

"Sharing our new product line at Expo East means Udi's will bring even more delicious options to the gluten-free community," said Denise Sirovatka, vice president of marketing. "Any time Udi's creates something new, it's in response to the needs and requests of our fans. We love bringing their ideas to life for a more enjoyable, fulfilling eating experience."

New items include:

FERNDALE, Wash. — Botanical Labs on Wednesday launched its certified gluten-free Protein Complete liquid dietary supplement that is fortified with 10 g of protein per 1-oz. serving.

Wellesse Protein Complete and the entire Wellesse line of supplements target:

• Consumers requiring rapid absorption and ease of dosing in liquid nutritional sources during critical recovery and ongoing malabsorption maintenance, following bariatric surgery and other medical procedures;

PLANO, Texas — PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America division is developing a gluten-free validation process for its products as part of a multiyear initiative to assure consumers that many of the company's products are gluten free.

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — Abbott recently launched Perfectly Simple by ZonePerfect, a line extension that is gluten-free and features fewer ingredients in each bar (between six and 10 ingredients).

Shipping in April, Perfectly Simple by ZonePerfect is available in three flavors: peanut crunch, cranberry almond and toasted coconut. The nutrition bars contain 10 g of protein, with no preservatives or added coloring. Each bar contains between 170 and 200 calories.

Gluten-free foods have exploded into the mainstream as more people see the foods as a healthier option. The Celiac Disease Foundation estimated that 17 million Americans may be gluten-intolerant. Millions more claim that avoiding gluten helps them control everything from arthritis to asthma.


LONDON — The global market for celiac disease is expected to grow substantially over the decade as more people are diagnosed with the condition, according to a new report.

The report, by British market research firm GlobalData, found that the global celiac disease therapeutics market would be worth more than $512 million by 2017 and $664.4 million by 2019.