Gluten-Free Products Present Manufacturing Opportunities

The growing market for gluten-free products is opening new gluten-free manufacturing opportunities for U.S. factories. Gluten-free food products require tight production methods to avoid contamination, but offer a high profit margin when compared to other food products. Certification organizations are available to help you produce safe gluten-free products for the marketplace. Consider adding some gluten-free runs to your production schedule to take advantage of this expanding market.

The manufacturing industry is seeing a revival across the United States, but food manufacturing is not recovering as quickly as other manufacturing areas, such as automobiles, machinery and technology. One reason is that new food products tend to rapidly wax and wane, and consumers repeatedly fall back on tried-and-true meal favorites. With more and more people identifying as gluten intolerant or choosing not to eat gluten for general health reasons, there is an increasing need for quality gluten-free food options. In 2012, gluten-free foods brought in $4.2 billion and were purchased by more than 21 million U.S. households. This amount is expected to grow significantly in the future. Tapping into this valuable market takes a little work, but gluten-free manufacturing can increase your profits and help your business grow.

It is not necessary to run a completely gluten-free facility in order to manufacture and package gluten-free products. Cleaning and sanitizing techniques paired with the regular use of quality-testing products ensures that machinery is gluten-free before each gluten-free production run. Completing gluten-free runs first thing in the morning ensures that any gluten-contaminated dust has settled and been cleaned up before production begins. It also ensures that employees are in clean clothes and aren't cross-contaminating any product. The Celiac Sprue Association and the Gluten-Free Certification Organization have programs in place to help gluten-free manufacturing operations keep their gluten-free products safe from contaminants. Adding a certification label to your products through an appropriate organization lets your customers know that you have taken care to meet their needs.

Another important consideration for gluten-free manufacturing is the integrity of your supply chain. If your ingredients are not gluten-free, the final product isn't either. Ask every supplier specifically how they keep their ingredients gluten-free. If they cannot give complete answers, choose a different supplier. Before beginning a gluten-free manufacturing run, test every ingredient for gluten contamination. It is better to dispose of a single contaminated ingredient than to need to destroy an entire run of finished product that was contaminated by that ingredient.

Manufacturing opportunities for gluten-free products are fueled by a consumer base that is fiercely loyal to their favorite products. Take the time to educate your consumers on the control measures that you use to keep your products gluten-free. Run a quality gluten-free manufacturing operation, and you have the security of satisfied customers who are dedicated to your products.

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