Dunkin' to Sell Gluten-Free Doughnuts

[Hum]

Dunkin' Donuts is poised to beat McDonald's Corp. (MCD) and Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) in introducing the fast-food industry's first gluten-free pastries nationwide.

The coffee and breakfast chain owned by Dunkin' Brands Group Inc (DNKN). will sell gluten-free cinnamon-sugar doughnuts and blueberry muffins across its U.S. stores this year, Stan Frankenthaler, the company's executive chef, said in an e-mail.

"We recognize the importance of providing our guests with many options, including alternative choices for people with food and dietary restrictions," he said. The pastries, to be sold at participating shops, are packaged separately to avoid contamination from other foods that contain wheat flour.

Gluten-free foods may be the next trend for restaurant chains and coffee shops as they try to entice customers and increase sales with healthier items -- even though wheat-free doesn't necessarily mean fewer calories. Domino's Pizza Inc. (DPZ) has gluten-free crusts, while Starbucks, the world's largest coffee-shop operator, is considering creating some gluten-free items after it bought a bakery that sells organic breads last year, said Linda Mills, a spokeswoman for the Seattle-based company.

"The number of people who think they benefit from going gluten-free is growing," Nancy Childs, a food marketing professor at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, said in a telephone interview. Gluten-free foods aren't only consumed by people with celiac disease, she said.

"People feel that they are choosing a healthier alternative" when they buy gluten-free fare, she said.

Those with celiac disease can't eat gluten, the protein in wheat, rye and barley. The autoimmune disorder affects about one out of every 133 Americans, according to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center's website.

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[Growled Member]

I guess I'm a bit odd, but when I go to a doughnut place I want a high calorie, sugar coated doughnut, and not all this other stuff.

[Hum]

^ PLUS ONE

[theyarecomingforyou]

I guess I'm a bit odd, but when I go to a doughnut place I want a high calorie, sugar coated doughnut, and not all this other stuff.

Nope. You've got to have some pleasures in life. :yes:

[HawkMan]

I like how she basically told everyone that gluten free is BS

[Torolol]

only 1 of 133 American benefited from gluten free products.