Dealing with food allergies during the cost-of-living crisis

By Evie Smith-Adams and Mehmet Kurul

Over the past 12 months prices have increased by 10.5% on average. One main area that has seen a drastic rise is the cost of food. Food prices on some products have almost doubled over the last two years

Free From food has always been more expensive than regular food, particularly gluten-free bread and dairy-free milk alternatives. Now with the cost of living crisis, the price of food has been constantly rising, making free from food even more expensive that it was previously.

The statistics

A report by the Food Standard Agency shows that adults with food hypersensitivities, regardless of their condition, face an increased financial burden compared to those without… an average household spends 12% – 27% more on weekly purchases. 

“A financial penalty has to be paid, simply to be able to access foods which are safe to eat. This year it will be felt even more keenly with the cost-of-living crisis,” said Carla, Jones, CEO of Allergy UK. 

The impact it has on families

Mark Robert, 49, has a wife who is gluten-intolerant and two daughters who are both dairy intolerant. The price they pay for milk and bread has always been more expensive as they have to buy dairy free and gluten free alternatives.

In recent months, however, Robert he has found that he is paying even more than before. “I was looking for bread for my wife recently and I was shocked at how much the gluten-free loafs had risen in price. I was looking at paying between £4 and £5 for just one loaf.”

Many people are struggling to afford the Free From alternatives and are having to make adjustments to their diets instead. No longer having these alternatives can cause negative impacts to their diets. 

Lorena Grau, 23, from Archway has a gluten allergy. “Two years ago, a gluten-free loaf of bread would be around £2 but now with inflation its much more expensive. I usually just buy rice instead now as I can’t really afford the rise in price with my bills to pay as well. I work as a barista so I’m on a pretty low salary.”

A decrease in purchase

Olivia Hemming, 24, a Morrisons employee, believes the rise in prices is affecting those with allergies. “Recently I’ve started to stock the Free From shelves less, I think it could be because they are a higher price.”