A gluten-free diet is the only existing treatment for Coeliac Disease at present. To produce these gluten-free products, more expensive raw materials must be used, which ultimately increases the final price and causes people with coeliac disease to pay much more for their shopping basket than the general population.
According to the Annual Report on Gluten-Free Product Prices 2023, compiled by the Federation of Associations of Coeliacs of Spain (FACE), a family with at least one member suffering from coeliac disease, whose diet is based on gluten-free products, will see the cost of their shopping basket increase by £11.23 per week. This amounts to £44.92 more per month and £538.98 more per year.
In total, the annual cost of a gluten-free shopping basket would be €1,536.83, compared to €997.85 for a shopping basket containing gluten. For example, while a loaf of bread with gluten costs €0.58/100g, the same gluten-free product costs €1.23/100g. Another example is biscuits; while those with gluten cost €0.42/100g, the cost for gluten-free biscuits is €0.95/100g.
It is worth noting that prices have risen significantly compared with 2022. Specifically, the cost of the shopping basket for a person with coeliac disease has risen by €169.42 in 2023, which is 12.39% more than in 2022.
Do you think the Spanish Government should provide aid to coeliacs? What is your opinion?
Article written by the El Miracle team