People with celiac disease need to eat gluten-free foods for life, but a new study shows these foods are still difficult to find in stores and cost more than regular food. Researchers looked at 30 stores across London over 11 years to see if things had improved. They found that while the price gap between gluten-free and regular foods got a little smaller, gluten-free options are still limited and expensive. This matters because people with celiac disease might struggle to stick to their diet when these foods are hard to get and cost too much money.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether gluten-free foods are easy to find in stores and how much they cost compared to regular foods, looking at changes over 11 years
  • Who participated: 30 different stores across London neighborhoods, including supermarkets and other shops, studied in 2010 and again in 2021
  • Key finding: In 2021, stores only had about 7 or 8 gluten-free versions of the 20 foods studied (38% availability), down from 14 options in regular supermarkets in 2010. Gluten-free foods cost more than regular foods, though the price difference got slightly smaller over time.
  • What it means for you: If you have celiac disease, finding gluten-free foods in UK stores remains challenging and expensive. While prices are becoming more competitive, availability has actually gotten worse in some supermarkets, which could make it harder to follow a necessary gluten-free diet.

The Research Details

Researchers used the same method they had used 11 years earlier to compare how things changed. They visited 30 stores across different areas of London and looked for 20 common foods—10 that are normally made with wheat and 10 everyday foods that can be made either way. For each food, they checked if gluten-free versions were available and recorded the prices of four different options: expensive gluten-free brands, cheapest gluten-free options, expensive regular brands, and cheapest regular options.

This approach is like taking a snapshot of the same stores at two different times to see what changed. By using the exact same method both times, the researchers could make fair comparisons and see real trends rather than differences caused by studying things differently.

The study focused on London stores because it’s a large, diverse city that represents different types of shopping areas. By looking at 30 stores instead of just a few, the results are more reliable and show what’s actually happening across different neighborhoods.

This research method is important because it shows real-world conditions that people with celiac disease actually face when shopping. Rather than just asking people questions, the researchers went to actual stores and checked what was really available and how much things actually cost. This gives us accurate information about whether the situation has improved for people who need gluten-free foods.

The study’s strength is that it repeated the exact same research method 11 years apart, making the comparison very reliable. It looked at 30 stores across different areas, which gives a good picture of London. However, the study only looked at London, so results might be different in other parts of the UK. The researchers didn’t track individual shoppers or their experiences, so we don’t know exactly how these availability and cost issues affect people’s ability to follow their diet.

What the Results Show

The biggest finding is that gluten-free food availability actually got worse, not better, even though more people are buying gluten-free products. In 2010, regular supermarkets had gluten-free versions of 18 out of 20 foods (90%). By 2021, this dropped to 14 out of 20 foods (70%). Across all store types, the average was only 7 or 8 gluten-free foods available per store out of the 20 studied.

Gluten-free foods cost significantly more than regular versions. For example, branded gluten-free products were more expensive than branded regular products, and even the cheapest gluten-free options cost more than the cheapest regular options. However, there was some good news: the price difference between gluten-free and regular foods got smaller over the 11 years, suggesting that gluten-free products are becoming more competitively priced.

When researchers adjusted prices for inflation (the normal increase in prices over time), they found that most gluten-free foods cost more in 2021 than would be expected based on normal inflation. This means gluten-free foods didn’t just cost more because everything costs more—they specifically became more expensive relative to regular foods.

The study found that different types of stores had different levels of gluten-free availability. Regular supermarkets, which are where most people shop, showed the biggest decrease in gluten-free options over time. This is particularly concerning because supermarkets are the main place people buy groceries. The researchers also noted that while overall availability was limited, the specific foods available varied from store to store, meaning people couldn’t always find the same gluten-free products at different locations.

This study is a follow-up to research done in 2010, making it one of the few studies that tracks changes in gluten-free food availability over a long time period. The findings suggest that despite increased interest in gluten-free products among the general public, the situation for people with celiac disease hasn’t improved and may have actually gotten worse. Previous research has shown that limited availability and high costs are major barriers to following a gluten-free diet, and this study confirms those problems persist.

The study only looked at stores in London, so we don’t know if the same patterns exist in other parts of the UK or other countries. It examined 30 stores and 20 foods, which is a reasonable sample but doesn’t cover every possible food or store type. The research didn’t track whether the same specific products were available in both 2010 and 2021, so some of the change might be due to different products being stocked rather than fewer options overall. Finally, the study doesn’t tell us how these availability and cost issues actually affect whether people with celiac disease can stick to their diet in real life.

The Bottom Line

If you have celiac disease, be prepared for limited gluten-free options and higher prices when shopping in UK stores. Plan ahead and consider shopping at multiple stores to find the products you need. Look for the cheapest gluten-free options rather than branded products to save money. Consider online shopping, which may offer more variety. Speak with your doctor or dietitian about managing costs while maintaining your gluten-free diet. Confidence level: High—this is based on direct observation of actual store conditions.

This research is most important for people with celiac disease who must eat gluten-free foods for their health. It’s also relevant for family members and caregivers who shop for people with celiac disease. Healthcare providers, dietitians, and policymakers should care about this because it shows that access to necessary medical foods is still a problem. People following gluten-free diets by choice (not due to celiac disease) may find this less urgent, though the information still applies to them.

The changes described in this study happened over 11 years, so improvements won’t happen quickly. However, the slight decrease in price differences between gluten-free and regular foods suggests that continued demand and competition might eventually make gluten-free foods more affordable and available. In the short term (weeks to months), individual shoppers may see changes by trying different stores or shopping methods. Meaningful improvements in overall availability and affordability would likely take years and require action from stores and manufacturers.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track gluten-free food availability and prices at your regular shopping locations. Record which of your essential gluten-free foods are available at each store and their prices weekly. This helps you identify which stores offer the best selection and prices, and shows patterns over time.
  • Use the app to create a shopping list organized by store location, noting which gluten-free products are available at each place. Set price alerts for your most-used gluten-free items so you know when they go on sale. Compare prices across stores to find the best deals and plan shopping trips accordingly.
  • Monthly, review your gluten-free shopping patterns to identify trends in availability and cost. Track whether you’re finding the products you need and whether prices are changing. Share this data with your healthcare provider to discuss any challenges in maintaining your gluten-free diet due to availability or cost barriers.

This research describes the availability and cost of gluten-free foods in UK stores but does not provide medical advice. If you have celiac disease or suspect you might, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian for personalized guidance on maintaining a gluten-free diet. This study’s findings are based on London stores and may not apply to all areas of the UK or other countries. The information about food availability and pricing is current as of 2021 and may have changed. Always work with healthcare professionals to ensure your dietary needs are being met safely and adequately.