A new report from Packaged Facts estimates gluten-free packaged foods to be a $4.2 billion industry, and expects that number to exceed $6.2 billion by 2017. The estimates reflect a compound annual growth rate of 28%.

The report noted that gluten-free snacks and granola bars contribute to 15% of this number, which is the largest portion of the industry.

So what has contributed to this growth? The Los Angeles Times says the growth is due to a combination of a few factors, including an increase in celiac disease and food allergy diagnoses, celebrity endorsements of a gluten-free diet for weight loss*, and consumers beginning to steer away from grain-based diets.

For the full story and statistics, visit the Los Angeles Times.

*Note: Many physicians and dietitians do not recommend eliminating gluten unless there is a medical necessity to do so, such as celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Even then, it is advised to first go through testing for an official diagnosis before adopting the gluten-free diet.

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