Celiac disease: Overview and considerations for development of gluten-free foods

Celiac disease is a genetically-determined chronic inflammatory intestinal disease induced by gluten in wheat, barley, rye etc. Celiac disease affects approximately one percent of people in the world and strict gluten-free diet (GFD) for a lifetime is the only available treatment. As gluten-free products available in the market are known to have low nutritional quality as well as are more expensive than gluten-containing food products, there is a strong need to develop gluten-free products that are nutritionally complete as well as economical. This review focuses on the special considerations during developing gluten-free products viz., finding an alternate non-gluten source, ensuring nutrition and sensory quality characteristics, compliance with the regulatory guidelines, economics and product.