There are an estimated 18 million people in the United States who are sensitive to
gluten, a hard-to-digest protein found in wheat, rye and barley.

Another 3 million-plus Americans are thought to have celiac disease, a potentially
life-threatening autoimmune disorder that is treated by eliminating dietary gluten.

Celiac disease is a specific digestive disorder of the nutrient absorbing part of the gut called the small intestine. Celiac disease is a form of food allergy. In celiac disease, the immune system is reacting against gluten, a protein found in wheat, causing damage to villi and loss of surface area for absorbing nutrients.

• More than 330,000 Canadians have been diagnosed with celiac disease. More than 73,000 are children.
• Each year, families affected by celiac disease spend $150 million to obtain gluten-free foodstuffs; the primary therapeutic option for the disease.
• Gluten-free products are 2.5 times more expensive than regular items making the overall cost of the disease for individuals and their families enormous.

The kosher symbol on a label represents more than merely a product that conforms to religious  standards. It is viewed as a mark of quality and an added safeguard, tantamount to the famous “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.”

In Canada, 1.52 per cent of children are allergic to peanuts, based on a history of allergic reaction. The comparable figure in the U.S., from a 2002 survey, is .83 per cent, representing an 83 per cent higher rate in Canada. Similarly, the rate of tree nut allergy is about 120 per cent higher for Canadian children: 
1.13 per cent have a history of reaction here, compared to .51 per cent in the United States.


The plight of people with food allergies and intolerances has finally begun to receive serious attention from food marketers. Parents are the prime movers behind the increase in food products targeting allergic consumers – but North Americans of all ages and races are turning to allergen-free foods, both to manage specific food sensitivities and simply as part of a trend towards more healthful eating.


Families with members who have food allergies will especially appreciate that ALL FFTI products are peanut-free/tree nut-free.