MORE than a quarter of people in Oxford have a food allergies or intolerances.

A study, conducted by free-from brand, Kirsty’s, revealed that 27 per cent of residents in the city are either lactose, gluten, dairy or wheat free.

Kirsty’s, which was set up by Kirsty Henshaw, recorded a 127 per cent sales increase in one retailer this January compared to January 2020 as the demand for gluten and dairy free products rises.

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Research found that fifty per cent of 18-24 year olds suffer from allergies and intolerances while 30 per cent of over 50’s do, but Ms Henshaw believes this figure is actually much higher.

She said: "As we get older, often the symptoms of food allergies and intolerances are mistaken for other health problems such as IBS, and people sometimes feel like if they have always eaten white bread, it can’t be doing them any harm now.

"However, for this generation having grown up in a world where gluten and dairy free lifestyles were few and far between there may still be a stigma associated with leading a free-from diet, with many misinterpreting it as faddy or fussy eating.

However, with 25 per cent of the UK population actively avoiding allergen laid food, free-from can no longer be seen as a niche need.

“I’m not a dietitian or a qualified chef but I do care passionately about what goes into our food. I don’t think our meals need gluten, wheat or dairy to taste delicious, that’s why you’ll never find them in any of our recipes.”