Millions of people sensitive to food

Unfortunately, the number of people who are unable to consume specific food products is growing in Hungary. Such people can be classified using three major categories: 1.) Sensitivity due to hereditary factors like diabetes or the inability to break down lactose. 2.) Allergic reaction to food or ingredients, like allergy to egg, milk protein, soy bean or peanut. 3.) Diseases prohibiting or limiting the consumption of certain foods, like kidney diseases or high blood pressure. This is the largest category. Though no official statistics are available, the total number of people belonging to the above categories is estimated to be over a million. This is why food manufacturers have been developing special products for the past 10-15 years. The widest range of products is intended for people suffering from diabetes, which includes not only sweets, but also basic foods. The bakery industry has developed many product for people with special needs, like Graham-bread, low salt bread, gluten-free bread, or low protein bread. Ed.Haas Hungaria Kft. launched a new product line in 2008. All Haas Natural products are gluten-free. These include 5 pudding powders, 2 cake gel powders, yeast, baking powder, vanilla sugar and starch.. Haas Natural products are made only with natural aromas and colouring. Friesland Hungária Zrt. also has hypoallergenic products and gluten free products. Hungerit Baromfifeldolgozó és Élelmiszeripari Zrt. and MERIAN Orosháza Zrt. both offer special poultry products. Naszálytej Zrt. offers not only lactose-free milk, but also lactose-free yoghurt and sour cream. Cerbona Zrt. has two gluten-free corn flakes. All MINI products from Diabet Trade Kft are free of cholesterol and gluten and come with a low protein content.