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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"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…
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Ingredients and Additives
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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
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
What consumers want & why
Opportunities
Ground “free-from” claims in reality
Keep it simple
Keep it positive
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
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
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
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
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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