Gluten-Free Shoppers Are Running To Grab Trader Joe's Newest Item
If you're one of the one in 20 people in America who have Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, or one of the 25% of Americans who choose not to eat gluten, then you've probably noticed something exciting in the past few years (via University of Nebraska-Lincoln). Unlike in the past when making homemade gluten-free bread was many peoples' only option, these days consumers can find tons of variety at the grocery. According to Grandview Research, the global gluten-free products market is worth $5.9 billion, and it's expected to grow 9.8% a year through 2030. There's a lot more to choose from at the store these days than just gluten-free multigrain bread and crackers, and the options seem to keep coming.
Trader Joe's has added a lot of gluten-free products to their shelves and freezer section recently. Shoppers freaked out over its new gluten-free Hula Cruncha snack mix based on Hawaiian hurricane popcorn, and fans got creative with its gluten-free cheese ravioli. But the grocery store chain isn't stopping there. They've started selling a new gluten-free product that's made at least one fan on Instagram claim, "My dreams have been answered!"
Trader Joe's is selling gluten-free breaded shrimp
What's the new Trader Joe's item everyone on Instagram seems so excited about? Gluten-free breaded shrimp. The frozen, cook and serve shrimp retails for $9.99 in the Los Angeles area, and comes with about 12 ounces of crustaceans per bag. In the comments of the post announcing the new product, shoppers had a lot to say — most of it positive. One person, who said they're not even gluten-free, used the shrimp in shrimp tacos, and exclaimed "these are so good!"
While many of the comments were encouraging, some people did have qualms about the nutrition facts on the back of the package. The shrimp is breaded with tapioca starch and coconut flour, but also contains palm olein, grapeseed oil, and an emulsifier, which some people seemed a little wary of. "I wish Trader Joe's would stop putting chemicals and highly processed oils in their food," said one disappointed customer. On a different Instagram post about the shrimp, a commenter said "the macros on these are terrible," and another replied "sadly it's a pass. Could've been great." Still, most people on both Instagram posts seemed excited. "I really wasn't planning to go to Trader Joe's this week," joked one, "But...do I even have a choice now?"