In Italy the celiac disease It affects about 1% of the population. Although it is a contained percentage, individuals cannot and should not give up bread, pasta and gluten -free snacks for economic reasons. The last monitoring of the Federconsumatori National Observatory confirms instead a real “celiac tax”: from 2016 to today the prices of dietotherapeutic products gluten -free in pharmacies have increased by 10%.
The worst increases are recorded in specialized stores, where for some items you can also reach 166% more than supermarkets, aggravating an already heavy burden for over 265 thousand people diagnosed and about 600 thousand waiting for confirmation.
Price paradox: between large -scale distribution and shops
In supermarkets, over time, there has been an average decrease of 4% of the prices of gluten -free products. On the contrary, in specialized shops, compared to 2016, the price lists reflect higher logistical and marginal costs, with upsets even up to +160%.
Gluten -free basic products prices:
- Flour 1kg for 5.71 euros in the pharmacy, while in a specialized shop for 4.50 euros;
- Pasta 500g at 3.90 euros in the pharmacy, while in a specialized shop for 3.90 euros;
- 220g biscuits at 3.50 euros in the pharmacy, while in a specialized shop for 3.50 euros;
- 380g crackers at 3.36 euros in the pharmacy, while in a specialized shop for 5.70 euros;
- Chocolate snacks at 4.40 euros in the pharmacy, while in a specialized shop for 4.40 euros;
- Bread in Cassetta 400g for 5.95 euros in the pharmacy, while in a specialized shop for 5.95 euros;
- 250g potato starch for 1.36 euros in the pharmacy, while in a specialized shop for 1.36 euros;
- Frozen pizza 390g for 5.95 euros in the pharmacy, while in a specialized shop for 5.95 euros;
- 33cl beer for 2.95 euros in the pharmacy, while in a specialized shop for 3.50 euros.
Even the purchase channel of the pharmacy, traditionally perceived as a safer health care, records a average increase of 10% on gluten -free products.
Regional vouchers and reimbursement: where to use them
The contribution for the purchase of gluten -free products varies according to the regions, thus creating uncertainty and inequalities of access. In some regions i Electronic vouchers They are spent in large -scale distribution, pharmacies and specialized shops. In others, however, the reimbursement is tied to the partnerships only or public dispenser.
Who moves for work, study or vacation it cannot use the voucher outside of your region and finds itself having to transport stocks or incur new expenses.
Eating out: salty account of +18%
Finally, in the report we mention the most serious aspect, that is, the one that has an impact also in the sociability of the individual individuals: eating away from home. With celiac disease, eating outside translates into an even heavier cost.
The average expense of gluten -free meals marks a +18.3% Compared to traditional menus, with an increase of 16.7% from the 2016 levels. To weigh, separate preparation courses, dedicated raw materials and staff training, but also a lot of disinformation and disinterest.
In detail, the average cost of meals away from home:
- bruschetta (1 portion) for 6.50 euros gluten -free, while the traditional costs 5.00 euros;
- Mixed dish of fried foods at 17.00 euro gluten -free, while the traditional costs 13.50 euros;
- first course at 13.00 euros gluten -free, while the traditional costs 11.00 euros;
- Pizza for 10.50 euros gluten -free, while the traditional costs 9.00 euros;
- sandwich with hamburgers and chips at 10.00 euros without gluten, while the traditional costs 8.00 euros;
- Sweet for 6.00 euros without gluten, while the traditional costs 5.00 euros.
