Gluten-free flours: benefits and applications
The demand for gluten-free flours has been steadily growing in recent years, driven by health needs—particularly celiac disease and gluten sensitivity—as well as by a rising interest in healthier, more functional, and inclusive food alternatives. At Better Foods Group, we closely monitor these developments and invest in gluten-free flour solutions that combine food safety, technological innovation, and rigorous quality control.
Gluten is a protein found in cereals such as wheat, rye, and barley. While it poses no issues for healthy individuals, it can seriously harm those with celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition where ingesting gluten triggers an immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine, leading to significant nutritional deficiencies.
According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), about 0.7% of the European population has celiac disease, although many cases remain undiagnosed. Increased awareness about health and well-being, along with more diagnoses, has strongly boosted the gluten-free products market.
The gluten-free product market has grown significantly, encompassing a wide array of items such as bread, pasta, snacks, and baking mixes. In the bakery sector, this trend reflects various needs and motivations:
- Medical and wellness needs: Gluten-free products are essential for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
- Healthy lifestyle choices: Many consumers are adopting gluten-free products as part of a balanced diet.
- Industry response: The bakery industry has innovated by creating gluten-free versions of bread, cakes, muffins, and traditional baked goods.
- Inclusive menus and special events: Gluten-free pastries are increasingly common in restaurants and celebrations, ensuring everyone can participate fully.
Better Foods Group remains attentive to market trends and consumption patterns and has therefore developed an exclusive line of gluten-free flours for industrial clients who wish to integrate these products into their production lines.
Gluten-free flour line
At Better Foods Group, we produce naturally gluten-free cereal flours—such as rice and corn—as well as gluten-free flour blends specifically designed for industrial and bakery applications. This diversified offering demonstrates our commitment to providing functional, healthy, and tasty ingredients.
Our gluten-free flour range currently includes several references, available in 5 kg and 25 kg bags, offering versatile solutions suitable for large-scale production. This exclusive line sets us apart, and we aim to preserve and expand it, considering the growing global demand for gluten-free products.
Better Foods’ gluten-free flour line is carefully crafted from selected rice and corn grains, ensuring the high quality and food safety standards that define our products. To ensure safety and eliminate cross-contamination, Better Foods Group uses a dedicated production line exclusively for preparing gluten-free flours, guaranteeing a high-quality final product.
For example, our Rice Flour production process is meticulous and controlled. The grains are precisely milled to create a fine, smooth texture that preserves the rice’s natural properties. The result is a flour that meets the most rigorous excellence standards while offering a versatile and delicious option for gluten-free diets.
The entire Better Foods gluten-free flour line is certified by the Portuguese Celiac Association (APC), reinforcing our commitment to the highest standards of food safety and traceability. This certification provides an additional guarantee to our customers, ensuring that our products are manufactured in strictly controlled environments, free from cross-contamination, and suitable for celiac diets.
With this specialized production line, Better Foods Group is ready to meet the needs of both consumers and industrial partners seeking safe, high-performing solutions aligned with modern production demands. Our gluten-free flours maintain the necessary functional profile for applications in baking, pastry, and other food industry sectors.
Better Foods Group is the largest milling group in Portugal, producing high-quality cereal flours and food ingredients with the vital mission of supporting the foundation of Portuguese nutrition and beyond. Founded in 2018, the group comprises four cereal milling factories that process various types of grains, a frozen products company specializing in bakery and pastry distribution, and two logistics hubs responsible for nationwide distribution as well as operations in Galicia and Andalusia. It is one of the most significant B2B food sector players in Portugal, dedicated to cereal processing and the production of everyday foods.
