We distinguish two types of people: those with gluten sensitivity and who will be more comfortable by reducing their consumption; and intolerant, or celiac patients, who must carefully follow a 100% gluten-free diet or risk serious repercussions on their body. In figures, there are currently 5 million regular gluten-free consumers in France (Source: AFP/ SIAL 2016) with an estimate of at least 600,000 intolerant people. (Source: AFDIAG/ Association française des intolerants au gluten)
Over the past 10 years, food companies have therefore launched the race for gluten-free products by replacing wheat flour with other ingredients such as rice flour, chestnut flour or, less friendly, by cheaper and not very healthy ingredients such as guar gum (or guar flour/ E412) or xanthan (E415) which are thickeners. Be careful, «gluten-free» does not necessarily mean «good for health», it only means that you will not find ingredients based on cereals, and that is why you must be extra vigilant by reading the lists of ingredients.