Research shows high cost of shopping for coeliacs

The high cost and low availability of gluten-free food is impacting the health and well-being of Ireland’s coeliac community, according to the Coeliac Society.

Cost as an issue is further reinforced today by research from SuperValu, which reveals that the average coeliac basket can be up to 87% higher than the non-coeliac basket.

Its CEO, Gráinne Denning, welcomed the introduction of the new SuperValu FreeFrom range of 309 gluten and dairy free products in 196 stores.

Ms Denning said: "We are keenly aware that many of our members struggle to find quality and choice in the gluten-free products they require to stay healthy.

"Being coeliac is not a lifestyle choice but a serious medical condition for which gluten-free food is the only medicine. "

It is believed that 1 in 100 Irish people are coeliac, a condition that causes the individual to adversely react to gluten, a protein present in wheat, barley and rye.

Symptoms include lethargy, stomach pain, bloating and weight loss.

Coeliac Disease, if undiagnosed, can cause serious health complications such as osteoporosis and bowel cancer.