Over half of Irish people are eating specialised diets, according to a new study.

Two-thirds of us try to avoid eating any food containing antibiotics, hormones or artificial additives like monosodium glutamate or sweeteners.

47% of consumers have a dairy-free diet, while 28% of us avoid gluten.

The survey by Neilsen also shows that one in four households in Ireland contain someone with food allergies or intolerances.

Indeed, sales of “Free From” products rose 15% in Ireland last year which Matt Clark, Nielsen’s commercial director in Ireland points out mirrors what’s happened in the UK this year which has seen a 19% rise to £754m annually¹.

He notes, “It’s one of the fastest growing categories and, consequently, supermarkets are extending ranges. If this growth rate continues, ‘Free From’ would be a £1 billion market in the UK alone within two years – the same size as today’s mineral water market.”