Tesco has bolstered its free-from range with 30 new products including a confetti celebration cake and quiche Lorraine.
The NPD (see below) comes as research by the retailer revealed that one in 10 UK adults had cut gluten from their diet and a further one in 10 had removed dairy or lactose.
Of 2,000 shoppers polled, 10% who bought free-from items were doing so out of choice rather than because of any diagnosed intolerances, the data showed. The findings suggested the popularity of free-from alternatives was largely being fuelled by younger generations, with demand for dairy and lactose-free options rising most significantly.
Almost a quarter (22%) of 18–34-year-olds follow a dairy-free diet and one in five (18%) had adopted gluten-free diets, it added.
“With demand for free-from alternatives at an all-time high, Tesco has placed a huge emphasis on innovation within the category over the past few years, with a focus on developing the quality, breadth and flavours on offer to our shoppers – all at great value prices,” said Alison Stokes, Tesco product development manager for free from.
“Interestingly, the data shows that 12% of people who purchase free from food can no longer tell the difference between regular and free-from products, which just shows the advancements made in the category over the past few years.”
The latest sweet and savoury bakery items to hit the retailer’s free-from aisle include:
Confetti Cake
Dubbed ‘light and fluffy’, this vanilla flavoured sponge cake is filled with a strawberry flavoured frosting, raspberry jam and topped with colourful swirls and a sprinkle of edible confetti.
Rsp: £9.00/931g
Free from: gluten, wheat and milk
Cinnamon and Raisin Bagels
These bagels are produced using the traditional New York style of boiling then baking to achieve a chewy bite, shiny surface, and soft internal crumb.
Rsp: £1.50 per four-pack
Free from: gluten, wheat, and milk.
Mature Cheddar Cheese Twists
Described as ‘super light’, these cheese twists are made with crisp golden gluten-free hand twisted pastry and mature vegan cheddar cheese and said to be best served straight from the oven.
Rsp: £2.25 per two-pack
Free from: gluten, wheat, egg, and milk. Vegan-friendly.
Ginger Nut Biscuits
These ‘spicy and fiery’ ginger nut biscuits are made with rice flour, gluten-free flour and soya flour.
Rsp: £1.30/180g
Free from: milk, wheat, and gluten. Vegan friendly.
Quiche Lorraine
This smoked bacon and extra mature Cheddar cheese quiche is made with gluten-free shortcrust pastry case.
Rsp: £15.0/160g
Free from: gluten and wheat.
Cheese & Onion Quiche
This quiche features Cheddar and red Leicester cheese with onion as well as eggs and single cream all served in a gluten-free shortcrust pastry case.
Rsp: £2/160g
Free from gluten and wheat.
Steak Pie
This steak pie is made with a gluten-free shortcrust pastry filled with chunks of beef in gravy.
Rsp: £2/200g
Free from gluten, wheat and milk.
Tesco Free From Lemon Drizzle Cake Kit
This pack has all the ingredients to help home bakers make a lemon drizzle cake sans egg.
Rsp: £1.70/300g
Free from: gluten, wheat, milk, and eggs. Vegan friendly.
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