Gluten-free prices soaring for Canadians with celiac disease
The price of nearly every food item has been under inflationary pressure this year, but those buying gluten-free products – an already expensive purchase to begin with – are noticing a price hike that’s even more dramatic.
“In our household 2 out of 5 of us are gluten-free so our grocery bills are very high," said Nicole Byrom, a registered dietician with the Canadian Celiac Association.
About one per cent of the Canadian population, approximately 350,000 people, have celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that is triggered by eating gluten which results in damage to the small intestine.
For health related reasons, those with celiac disease must eat gluten-free products, and they've noticed some major price hikes this year.
At Tiano’s Organics in Pickering, Ont. they specialize in gluten-free products and owner Mark Tiano said while a loaf of traditional bread may sell for around $3, a gluten-free loaf of bread which recently sold for $9 just increased to $9.50.
“Just like every other product, gluten free products have had price increases. Gluten free products have additional ingredients in order to substitute for wheat," said Tiano.
While one per cent of the population has to eat gluten-free items, Tiano said about 12 per cent of the population chooses to buy gluten-free items as an alternative for health reasons.
Tiano said while his store is trying to keep prices down for his customers, his suppliers keep raising them.
"With this gluten-free dessert I called the manufacturer because it’s the first time they have done two price increases in one year,” said Tiano.
The Canadian Celiac Association is concerned about the rising cost of gluten free products as those with celiac disease are medically required to have a gluten-free diet.
Food is our medicine and there is no other treatment other than a strict 100 per cent gluten free diet," said Byrom.
Byrom said that a household that has to buy gluten-free items can have grocery bills that are 200 per cent higher.
Some people with celiac disease like Frank Colaiacovo of Thornhill, Ont. said they are having to cut back on buying certain gluten-free products because they are just too expensive.
“They should give us a break instead of taking advantage of us because we have to buy things that are gluten-free,” said Colaiacovo.
The bad news is there appears to be no price relief in sight for gluten-free products.
“I’m hearing we are starting to see the results (price increases) of the last two years now, and it's going to get worse before it gets better," said Tiano.
Anyone who has to buy gluten-free products because they have celiac disease can get a tax break. For information on that and other money saving advice you can check the association's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Sask. RCMP issue Amber Alert for 7-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy
An Amber Alert was issued Monday evening by Shaunavon RCMP in Saskatchewan for seven-year-old Luna Potts and eight-year-old Hunter Potts.

Anne Heche remains in critical condition as police continue to investigate her car crash
Anne Heche has remained in critical condition since crashing her vehicle into a Los Angeles residence on Friday, according to a new representative for the actress.
Russian disinformation spreading in new ways despite bans, report says
After Russia invaded Ukraine last February, the European Union moved to block RT and Sputnik, two of the Kremlin's top channels for spreading propaganda and misinformation about the war. Nearly six months later, the number of sites pushing that same content has exploded, according to a report by NewsGuard.
Actor, singer Olivia Newton-John dies at age 73
Singer and actor Olivia Newton-John, who was best known for playing Sandy in the film 'Grease,' has died at the age of 73, according to her husband.
Trump says FBI conducted search at his Mar-a-Lago estate
The FBI searched Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate as part of an investigation into whether he took classified records from the White House to his Florida residence, people familiar with the matter said Monday, a move that represents a dramatic and unprecedented escalation of law enforcement scrutiny of the U.S. former president.
RCMP has been using spyware tools for years and in more cases than previously reported, MPs told
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and senior RCMP officers are defending the national police force's years-long and previously undisclosed use of spyware—capable of remotely accessing cell phone and computer microphones, cameras and other data—as part of dozens of major investigations.
4 Muslim men were killed in Albuquerque. Here's what we know about them
After ambush-style shootings of three Muslim men and the recent killing of a fourth in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Muslim community in the city is on edge and fearful.
Nagasaki marks atomic bombing anniversary amid fresh nuclear war fears
Nagasaki paid tribute to the victims of the U.S. atomic bombing 77 years ago on Aug. 9, with the mayor saying Russia's war on Ukraine showed the world that another nuclear attack is not just a worry but 'a tangible and present crisis.'
Saskatoon woman who had been reported missing faces charges in U.S., Canada
Federal prosecutors in the United States have accused a Saskatoon woman of faking her own death and that of her son in what they describe as an elaborate scheme to illegally enter the country.