Campaign to make gluten free food more affordable and accessible
We are on a mission to make gluten free food more affordable and accessible. Our aim is to highlight the additional challenges faced by the coeliac community and avoid a cost of living crisis becoming a health crisis.
In March 2023, Coeliac UK launched its campaign to make gluten free food more affordable and accessible. Using the latest data on the cost of gluten free staple substitute products, it highlighted the challenges facing those with coeliac disease during the cost of living crisis.
The response to the campaign has been incredibly positive and thousands of people have pledged their support so far, writing to elected representatives and local commissioners and sharing their own stories on social media. The first report was cited in Parliament and the issue has been repeatedly covered in national and local media.
“Coeliac disease is not a diagnosis anyone would want even without the additional financial burden laid out in this report. Unfortunately, as a clinician, I’m seeing more and more patients who simply cannot afford the gluten free staple foods they need to treat their condition. People have a right to high quality nutrition at reasonable prices – unfortunately significant numbers of coeliac patients are now being forced into a situation where they have to forgo the only treatment that makes them better (gluten free food) or go hungry. This is a significant public health issue and requires urgent action”
Dr Gerry Robins, Consultant Gastroenterologist, York Hospital
The Gluten Free Diet: What does it cost and why does it matter? 2024 Update
A lot has happened since the campaign launched in March 2023 yet in some respects little has changed for those facing the challenge of managing a medically prescribed gluten free diet. The reality for too many people across the UK with coeliac disease is that the food that keeps them well is too expensive and hard to access.
The challenge the community faces is imposing yet it is one that can and must be overcome. We’re calling on the next UK Government and the food industry to do more for people with coeliac disease to ensure they can both afford and access gluten free food to help maintain their health.
We have held positive discussions with food industry representatives and are working with them to develop new initiatives to ensure access to more affordable and accessible gluten free staple substitute foods are available for those who need them.
Key takeouts from the report
The report presents the findings of a research study comparing the prices of gluten free products and their gluten containing counterparts across major UK supermarkets. The research also highlights findings from the Coeliac UK cost and availability supermarket survey which recorded over 1000 shopping trips from the community and highlights the actions that need to be taken to create a meaningful change for the community.
- The cheapest gluten free loaf of bread is 6.1 times more expensive than the cheapest gluten containing loaf, gram for gram
- The weekly food shop suitable for a gluten free diet can be as much as 35% more expensive
- 7 in 10 people find shopping gluten free ‘adversely affects their quality of life’
- Because of the substantial cost of gluten free food, people with coeliac disease are opting to risk consuming gluten, potentially jeopardising their health as a result. 4% are actively eating gluten despite health risks due to cost concerns and nearly a third (27%) are opting to eat products with ‘may contain’ statements for the same reason
- Almost 8 in 10 people struggled to afford gluten free products with those on the lowest incomes hit hardest by this additional cost
How you can get involved
Our voice is only as strong as the community we represent and our initial success in raising awareness and bringing this issue into the conversation has only been because of your ongoing incredible support. Thank you!
Read on below to find out how you can get involved with our campaign in 2024.
1. Pledge your support and join the campaign!
If you haven't joined the campaign so far, it’s easy to pledge your support. The more people who join our campaign, the louder our voice and the greater the awareness of the additional challenges faced by the coeliac community. Simply click ‘Pledge your support’ and let us know how you'll be supporting the campaign.
Once you sign up, make sure you tick the box to receive more information and we'll keep you updated on our progress and other ways to get involved!
2. Share your story on social media
We want to know how maintaining a gluten free diet is affecting you financially on a day-to-day basis and how you are coping with the rising cost of your food shop. We are also interested to find out if you are currently receiving support to access gluten free food, such as prescriptions. Share your story on social media using the hashtag #GFPledge
3. Shout about it
Use our letter templates to make change at a higher level: 
Contact your local ICB (non prescribing areas of England only)
Before July 4 2024:
Contact your local parliamentary candidate
After July 4 2024:
Contact your local Member of Parliament
Find out if you have access to gluten free staples on prescription in your area using our
postcode tool here.
Seven Day Meal Plan – your budget meal booklet
Helpful hints on how to eat well gluten free on a budget.