Gluten-free: The Australian invasion
Scores of exhibitors were showcasing gluten-free products at the show, but one that we'll definitely be keeping an eye on is Australian gluten-free market leader Freedom Foods, which is looking for a slice of the action in the US market.
The firm - which makes its products from a dedicated facility in New South Wales that tests every batch down to 3ppm gluten before release - first entered the US market via an importer and distributor two years ago, but has recently set up its own US subsidiary and is now stocked in around 4,000 stores, said CEO Michael Bracka, who has just moved to LA.
"People are looking beyond gluten-free to allergy-free, so our cereals are also free of wheat, nuts, egg, dairy and soy. But we're also trying to bring innovation to the category, so we use chickpeas instead of soy in our Pro-teen Crunch cereal, and sorghum and buckwheat flour in our ancient grain flakes."
