Beyond the Grocery Bill: Canadian Families Say the Gluten-Free Tax Credit Isn’t Enough
August 25, 2026
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Written by: Alyssa Ramuscak, Celiac Canada Research Analyst, August 24, 2026
For families raising a child with celiac disease, following a strict gluten-free diet is not a choice; it’s the only treatment available. (1,2) Yet in Canada gluten-free foods cost on average 150% to 200% more than their gluten-containing counterparts,
(3) creating an ongoing financial burden on many households.
Previous Canadian research has shown that 30-50% of households with children living with celiac disease experience gluten-free food-insecurity, with more than two-thirds of these families experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity. (4,5) The consequences of the high costs of gluten-free foods extend well beyond the grocery bill, with gluten-free food insecurity being associated with poorer gluten-free diet adherence and lower diet quality.(5)
A new study led by Dr. Diana Mager and colleagues(6) sought to better understand parents’ perspective of gluten-free food insecurity by not just measuring it, but by also asking parents what they believe needs to change.
The research team interviewed 59 Canadian parents of children with celiac disease to better understand the challenges they face in accessing safe, nutritious, and affordable gluten-free foods. Parents also shared what policies and supports they believe would make the greatest difference for families.
One message was clear: The high cost of gluten-free food remains a major challenge, but affordability is only part of the story.
Parents described five interconnected factors that influence gluten-free food security:
Among these factors, 94% of parents consistently identified agency, particularly inadequate government support, as one of the greatest barriers.
More than three-quarters of parents said Canada’s current medical expense tax credit does not adequately support families.
Many described the tax credit as burdensome, with families required to save receipts and calculate the price differences between gluten-free and gluten-containing goods. Others noted that families without taxable income receive little or no benefit from the tax credit.
Importantly, concerns about the tax credit were reported by parents regardless of household income, home ownership, or whether they lived in an urban or rural community.
As one parent shared: “The tax credit system is not helpful at all, is waste of time and the government makes us do all the work and we still get denied.”
Parents also identified several policy changes they believe could improve access to gluten-free foods.
The most commonly suggested solution was a refundable child tax credit, which parents felt would provide more equitable financial support than the current system.
Other recommendations included:
These recommendations were shared by families regardless of whether they were currently experiencing gluten-free food insecurity, suggesting a broad agreement on the need for policy change.
While government policies were identified as the greatest opportunity for change, parents also highlighted the importance of the celiac disease community.
Around 61% of parents described using celiac disease specific social media communities, including those by Celiac Canada (national/chapters), to:
These findings highlight how trusted community organizations can help families navigate the everyday challenges of living with celiac disease while broader policy solutions continue to evolve.
Food prices continue to rise across Canada, making conversations about food affordability increasingly important for all Canadians. For families managing celiac disease, these challenges are felt more intensely as gluten-free foods are not optional; they are medically necessary.
This study reminds us that there is an urgent need for policy reform; policies that recognize the financial realities of living with celiac disease and that ensure that gluten-free foods will be consistently safe, nutritious, accessible, and affordable.
By listening to parents lived experiences, this research provides valuable direction for researchers, healthcare providers, advocacy organizations, and policymakers to work together to improve the lives of Canadians living with celiac disease.
To learn more about the work Celiac Canada is doing to advocate for policies that improve access to safe and affordable gluten-free foods, check out the following links:
https://www.celiac.ca/tax-fairness-and-affordability-petition-2025/
To read the research articles, see:
Mager DR et al. Parental perspectives concerning gluten-free food insecurity in household with children with coeliac disease: take away messages for policy makers. Journal of Nutritional Science, 2026; 15(e60):1-7. Doi: 10.1017/jns.2026.10131
References
1. Hill ID, Fasano A, Guandalini S, et al. NASPGHAN clinical report on the diagnosis and treatment of gluten-related disorders. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2016;63(1):156-165. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000001216
2. Hill ID, Dirks MH, Liptak GS, et al. Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease in children: recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2005;40(1):1-19. doi:10.1097/00005176-200501000-00001
3. Jamieson JA, Blewett H. The Price of Canadian Gluten-Free Staple Foods Remains More than Double and Iron Content Less than Half of Standard Foods in 2024. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. 2025;80(3):141. doi:10.1007/s11130-025-01365-0
4. Wang X, Anders S, Jiang Z, et al. Food insecurity impacts diet quality and adherence to the gluten‐free diet in youth with celiac disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2024;79(6):1180-1191. doi:10.1002/jpn3.12398
5. Mager DR, Jiang Z, Anders S, Bruce M, Turner JM. Gluten-Free Food Insecurity is associated with reduced Diet Quality and ultra-processed food intake in youth with Celiac Disease. Nutrition. Published online May 2026:113270. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2026.113270
6. Mager DR, Anders S, Bruce M, Turner JM. Parental perspectives concerning gluten-free food insecurity in households with children with coeliac disease: take away messages for policy makers. J Nutr Sci. 2026;15:e69. doi:10.1017/jns.2026.10131
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