Almost every food price has been under inflationary pressure this year, but those who buy gluten-free products – already an expensive purchase to begin with – are noticing a more dramatic price increase.

Nicole Perum, a registered dietitian at the Canadian Celiac Association, said, "In our household, 2 out of 5 of us are gluten-free, so our grocery bills are very high."

About one percent of Canadians, nearly 350,000 people, suffer from celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder caused by consuming gluten that damages the small intestine.

For health reasons, those with celiac disease must eat gluten-free products, and they have noticed some significant price increases this year.

At Tiano’s Organics in Pickering, Ont., they specialize in gluten-free products, and its owner, Mark Tiano, said that while a traditional loaf of bread might sell for about $3, the gluten-free loaf recently sold for $9 has just increased to $9.50.

"Just like any other product, gluten-free products have seen a price increase.

Tiano said, "Gluten-free products contain additional ingredients to replace wheat."

While one percent of the population must consume gluten-free foods, Tiano said about 12 percent of the population chooses to buy gluten-free products as a health alternative.

Tiano said that while his store tries to keep prices low for customers, his suppliers keep increasing them. Tiano said, "With this gluten-free candy, I called the manufacturer because it was the first time they raised prices twice in one year."

The Canadian Celiac Association is concerned about the rising cost of gluten-free products because those with celiac disease are medically required to follow a gluten-free diet.

"Food is our medicine, and there is no other treatment besides a strict 100 percent gluten-free diet," Perum said.

Perum said a family that must buy gluten-free products can have grocery bills 200 percent higher. Some people with celiac disease, like Frank Kolayakoff from Thornhill, Ontario,

said they have to cut back on buying some gluten-free products because they are too expensive.

Tiano said, "I heard we started to see the effects (of price increases) in the past two years now, and things will get worse before they get better."

Anyone who has to buy gluten-free products because they have celiac disease can get a tax exemption. For information about that and other money-saving tips, you can visit the association’s website.