JJ Food Service meets gluten-free demand with new chips

Made with sunflower oil, Super Crisp Chips are available in three sizes – Julienne (7mm), Super Crisps (9mm) and Steak Cut (19mm).

GMO and allergen-free, they are claimed by JJ to have a special coating that gives the chips a “unique, crispy texture”.

Gluten-free demand​

JJ’s chief product officer Ali Guvemli said: “We sell a variety of potato products to restaurants and caterers, and have noticed a significant increase in demand for gluten-free.

“The market is worth more than £355m in the UK and is expected to hit £519m by 2016, so it’s not a trend that’s going away.”

According to independent research by Swedish gluten-free bakery Almondy, 78% of consumers think that catering outlets are not doing enough to support customers with gluten intolerance and 36% of consumers said that they would pay more to have gluten-free.

“But it’s not just about attracting the 1% of the population that suffers from Coeliac disease – 73% of consumers are influenced by gluten-intolerant friends on where to eat – so having gluten-free options on a menu could encourage more group bookings as well as single customers”, explained Guvemli.

Allergen legislation​

The gluten-free chips have been launched in time for the change in food labelling legislation in December, which will require manufacturers and wholesalers to list 14 allergens when used as ingredients in a dish.

“This means that gluten-free products are no longer just a trend – the visibility of gluten as an ingredient in food will become a legal requirement”, Guvemli added.