People with coeliac disease are facing soaring costs for gluten-free staples, with a small branded loaf now costing nearly £4. While a standard 800g loaf of white bread can be bought for under £1, a 480g Promise gluten-free loaf is priced at £3.90 in many supermarkets, according to data from Trolley.co.uk.
Alison Peters, who runs the website Coeliac Sanctuary and has the condition herself, said: 'A decent gluten-free loaf now regularly costs about £4. Promise bread is now £3.90 in Tesco and Sainsbury's. Even the supermarket own-brand is often about £2 a loaf.' She fears gluten-free food is 'becoming a luxury rather than an essential medical diet for managing a lifelong autoimmune disease'.
The price of gluten-free bread has risen 6% since May 2025, to an average of £3.12, while gluten-free flour has jumped over 10% to £3.80. Peters noted that products are often smaller too, with cereal boxes containing less, meaning consumers pay more for less food.
Nicole Marvin from Dudley said her local Aldi removed its free-from section after a year-long trial, leaving her struggling to afford basics. 'I can no longer buy gluten-free flour from Aldi to make my own bread, which saved me money,' she said. 'It's frustrating that people like me are being restricted in where we can get food.'
Research by Coeliac UK found that a weekly gluten-free shop can cost up to 35% more than a standard one, with eight in 10 people struggling to afford staples. The charity warned that the withdrawal of adult prescriptions for gluten-free bread and flour in England is adding further strain on household budgets.
