2025
9
US Free-from/Ingredients to Avoid Market Report 2025
2025-12-17T15:34:32+00:00
REPDD5B7451_A2B3_4307_8156_60D55A1192F0
3695
189707
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Report
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"Free-from" foods give consumers flexibility and choice in their shopping. They can allow for indulgence without compromise when avoiding allergens, or serve as building blocks to learn more about ingredients…
US
Ingredients and Additives
simple

US Free-from/Ingredients to Avoid Market Report 2025

"Clear and compelling communication about tangible benefits is key for brands to build trust and cut through consumer confusion around "free-from" foods."

Julia Mills, Food & Drink Analyst

Julia Mills, Food & Drink Analyst

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  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • What consumers want & why
    • Opportunities
    • Ground “free-from” claims in reality
    • Keep it simple
    • Keep it positive
  2. MARKET DYNAMICS

    • Market context
    • State of the market
    • Less than 15% of food and drink launches feature “free-from” claims
    • Graph 1: percent of food and drink launches with “free-from” claims, 2020-24
    • Graph 2: percent of food and drink launches with “free-from” claims, by category, 2020-24
    • Brands need to shift their focus to the claims that actually matter to consumers
    • Graph 3: percent of “free-from” claims in food & drink launches, 2024
    • Graph 4: claims that influence food and drink purchase decisions, 2025
    • Claim trends in food
    • Claim launches have remained stagnant in the past four years
    • Graph 5: percent of food launches by claim category, 2020-24
    • Growth of ethical and environmental launches misaligns with consumer demands
    • There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when focusing on “free-from” claims
    • “Free-from” launches in food see small declines
    • Graph 6: percent of “food launches” by free-from and related claims, 2020-24
    • No “free-from” claims have grown in the past four years
    • Claim trends in beverages
    • Beverage claim launches remain steady
    • Graph 7: percent of beverage launches by claim category, 2020-24
    • Plus claims show the largest growth despite being a small segment
    • Beverage brands turn to “free-from” claims to emphasize their perception as natural
    • Beverages with “free-from” claims account for a small share of launches
    • Graph 8: percent of beverage launches by free-from and related claims, 2020-24
    • Organic claims remain prominent in beverages but experience greatest declines
    • Market drivers
    • The food industry is a minefield of diverging opinions and distrust
    • Despite rising optimism, risks continues to lurk
    • Graph 9: opinions on financial future, 2023-25
    • “Free-from” claims become a political statement
    • A glance at current events
    • Younger consumers give processed foods a pass (for now)
    • Graph 10: agreement with the statement, “I try to avoid packaged foods that contain certain ingredients,” by age, 2024
    • Graph 11: agreement with the statement, “I don’t pay a lot of attention to the ingredients in packaged food,” by age, 2024
  3. CONSUMER INSIGHTS

    • Consumer fast facts
    • Overview/user profiles
    • Consumers approach claims and ingredients differently
    • Overview of consumer groups
    • Using cluster analysis to segment tea consumers based on attitudes
    • Graph 12: cluster component alignment – attitudes toward free-from/ingredients to avoid, 2025
    • Ingredient Inspectors
    • Graph 13: “Ingredient Inspectors,” by select demographics, 2025
    • Graph 14: cluster analysis of attitudes towards free-from/ingredients to avoid – Ingredient Inspectors, 2025
    • Balanced Wellness Enthusiasts
    • Graph 15: “Blanced Wellness Enthusiasts,” by select demographics, 2025
    • Graph 16: cluster analysis of attitudes towards free-from/ingredients to avoid – Balanced Wellness Enthusiasts, 2025
    • Flavor-first Pragmatists
    • Graph 17: “Flavor-first Pragmatists,” by select demographics, 2025
    • Graph 18: cluster analysis of attitudes towards free-from/ingredients to avoid – Flavor-first Pragmatists, 2025
    • Influence of nutrition facts/ingredients in food and drink purchase
    • 90% of consumers value nutrition facts and ingredient lists to some extent
    • Graph 19: importance of nutrition facts/ingredient lists in food and drink purchase decisions, 2025
    • There’s a time and place to consider nutrition for younger consumers
    • Graph 20: importance of nutrition facts/ingredient lists in food and drink purchase decisions, by generation, 2025
    • Consumers on a budget don’t always have the luxury to consider nutrition
    • Graph 21: importance of nutrition facts/ingredient lists in food and drink purchase decisions, by financial situation, 2025
    • Parents are more discerning of ingredient lists and nutrition
    • Graph 22: importance of nutrition facts/ingredient lists in food and drink purchase decisions, by parental status, 2025
    • Influence of claims in food and drink purchase
    • Claims matter even if they’re only one piece of the puzzle
    • Graph 23: influence of claims in food and drink purchase decisions, 2025
    • The digital age shapes younger consumers’ attitudes toward health claims
    • Graph 24: influence of claims in food and drink purchase decisions, by generation, 2025
    • Claims are not top of mind when money’s on the table
    • Graph 25: influence of claims in food and drink purchase decisions, by financial situation, 2025
    • Claims signal trust in food quality and safety for parents
    • Graph 26: influence of claims in food and drink purchase decisions, by parental status, 2025
    • Relationship with ingredients when shopping for food and drink
    • Consumers are more discerning with ingredients they can taste and see
    • Graph 27: relationship with ingredients while shopping for food and drink, 2025
    • Controversy and nuance around common food ingredients muddies the water
    • Graph 28: relationship with ingredients while shopping for food and drink, 2025
    • Messaging around vilified ingredients is lasting
    • Graph 29: avoided ingredients in food and drink, by generation, 2025
    • Media feeds younger generation’s perception of ingredients
    • Graph 30: avoided ingredients in food and drink, by generation, 2025
    • Ingredient avoidance builds new communities and acts as a statement of values
    • Consumers on a budget don’t have the money to be picky
    • Graph 31: avoided ingredients in food and drink, by financial situation, 2025
    • Parents are more likely to put certain ingredients on the chopping block
    • Graph 32: avoided ingredients in food and drink, by parental status, 2025
    • Claims that influence food and drink purchase
    • Claims must clearly connect to health outcomes
    • Graph 33: claims that influence food and drink purchase decisions, 2023-25
    • Just a few claims can have the biggest reach
    • Graph 34: repertoire of claims utilized, by select demographics, 2025
    • Graph 35: repertoire of claims utilized, 2025
    • Claims go in and out of the spotlight depending on changing health narratives
    • Graph 36: claims that influence food and drink purchase decisions, by generation, 2025
    • Messaging sticks
    • Parents focus on the claims that matter most
    • Graph 37: repertoire of claims utilized, by parental status, 2025
    • Graph 38: claims that influence food and drink purchase decisions, by parental status, 2025
    • Motivations for purchasing “free-from” products
    • Consumers usually choose “free-from” products out of preference, not necessity
    • Graph 39: motivations for purchasing “free-from” products, 2025
    • Motivations extend beyond health for younger consumers
    • Graph 40: motivations for purchasing “free-from” products, by generation, 2025
    • Factors preventing the purchase of “free-from” products
    • High costs and lack of trust hinder “free-from” purchases
    • Graph 41: factors preventing the purchase of “free-from” products, 2025
    • Older consumers aren’t as exposed to “free-from” messaging
    • Graph 42: factors preventing the purchase of “free-from” products, by generation, 2025
    • Attitudes toward free-from/ingredients claims
    • 70% of consumers check ingredient lists before buying
    • Graph 43: attitudes toward free-from/ingredients claims, 2025
    • “Free-from” claims signal quality, but skepticism remains
    • Graph 44: attitudes toward free-from/ingredients claims, 2025
    • Younger consumers look for the “proof in the pudding”
    • Graph 45: attitudes toward free-from/ingredients claims – any agree, by generation, 2025
    • Gender
    • Graph 46: attitudes toward free-from/ingredients claims – any agree, by gender, 2025
    • Attitudes toward ingredients
    • Balance in diets is more important than perfection
    • Graph 47: attitudes toward ingredients, 2025
    • Younger consumers take a more laissez-faire approach to their diet
    • Graph 48: attitudes toward ingredients, by generation, 2025
  4. INNOVATION AND MARKETING STRATEGIES

    • Product development: what’s now
    • Brands remove ingredients to give junk foods a BFY makeover…
    • …though this comes with risks
    • Prioritize what’s included, not just what’s removed…
    • …to prove flavor and value
    • Product development: what’s near
    • If it’s not sugar, what is it?
    • The narrative around ingredients changes, bringing new claims to the mix
    • Product development: what’s next
    • Brands marry “free-from” claims with global flavors
    • Artificial colors could be nixed from mainstream brands
    • Tell a story beyond certifications
  5. APPENDIX

    • Consumer research questions
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Generations
    • Abbreviations and terms

US Free-from Industry – Trends and Insights

  • “Free-from” foods give consumers flexibility and choice in their shopping. They can allow for indulgence without compromise when avoiding allergens, or serve as building blocks to learn more about ingredients and product makeup in food and drink.
  • 65% of consumers agree that nutrition facts/ingredient labels are very or extremely important, rising even higher for Gen Z (79%). However, the ever-changing messaging around which ingredients are “good” or “bad” has left many feeling confused and skeptical.
  • To build trust and connect with consumers, brands need to focus on clear, honest communication that highlights real benefits.
  • Consumers value food and drinks that maximize enjoyment and indulgence while minimizing harm. This means that while free-from claims are important, they should not come at the expense of price, convenience or flavor.

This Report Looks at the Following Areas:

  • Influence of nutrition facts/ingredient lists on food and drink purchase decisions
  • Influence of claims on food and drink purchase decisions
  • Relationship with ingredients while food shopping
  • Motivations to purchase “free-from” products
  • Attitudes toward free-from/ingredients claims
  • Barriers to purchasing “free-from” products
  • Innovations and marketing strategies in “free-from” products; exploring opportunities for future growth
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