Changes in food-related costs during the COVID-19 pandemic among families managing food allergy

Abstract

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has affected the supply, cost, and demand for certain foods, but it is not clear how these changes have affected food-allergic households.ObjectiveTo describe the changes in food-related costs that have followed COVID-19, as reported by higher- and lower-income households with a food-allergic member.MethodsBetween May 1-June 30, 2020, Canadian households, with at least one food-allergic member, completed an online survey on food shopping and preparation habits before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample was divided into binary groups, either higher or lower than the sample median income. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression.ResultsThe sample was comprised of 102 participants (i.e., 51/ income group). The three most common food allergies amongst both groups were peanuts, tree nuts and milk. Since the start of the pandemic, both groups reported greater monthly direct grocery costs, although costs amongst the higher-income group were twice as high as the lower-income group ($212.86 vs. $98.89, respectively). Indirect food preparation costs were similarly elevated. Higher-income households with food procurement difficulties reported increased indirect shopping costs following the outbreak of COVID-19, whereas those without such difficulties reported decreased costs. Lower-income households with allergies to milk, wheat, or eggs (i.e., staple allergy) experienced a larger change in indirect food preparation costs following the outbreak of COVID-19 relative to those with other food allergies ($244.58 vs. –$20.28, respectively; p = 0.03).ConclusionBoth higher and lower income households with food allergy reported greater direct food costs and indirect food preparation costs following the COVID-19. Households with staple allergy and those with difficulties finding their typical food items were particularly affected.

Temporal examination of adult food insecurity amongst Canadian families managing food allergy

“…For families also managing food allergy, concerns regarding food insecurity are even greater, owing to the excess costs of food allergy, which both pre-dated [ 2 ] and has persisted during the pandemic [ 7 ]. Prior to the pandemic, these families spent, on average, $200 more per month on groceries, in comparison to families without food allergy [ 2 ].…”

“…Prior to the pandemic, these families spent, on average, $200 more per month on groceries, in comparison to families without food allergy [ 2 ]. These estimates were even higher one two months into the pandemic with high income families indicating that their spending on food had increased $200 per month in comparison to before the pandemic; whereas, lower income families spent additional $100 a month, on average [ 7 ]. The impact of these excess costs is seen in Waves 2 and 3, with an emergence of marginal food insecurity, and in Wave 3, with the near-disappearance of those reporting moderate food insecurity, and an increase amongst those reporting severe food insecurity.…”

“…Previous research from our group dating prior to the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that Canadian families with food allergy face excess food costs associated with the purchase of allergy-friendly foods, in the order of magnitude of about $2400 Canadian per year, on average, or about $200 per month [ 2 ]. Moreover, we recently reported that, in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, families managing food allergy spent an additional $100—$200 per month on food, compared to immediately prior to the pandemic [ 7 ]. Canadian families overall have allocated a greater proportion of their household income to food purchases, with increases since the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

A review of food allergy-related costs with consideration to clinical and demographic factors

“…Household income also appears to affect how families with food allergy have adapted to changes in the availability, cost, and consumption of food brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Research by Golding et al found both higher and lower income households with food allergy reported spending more on groceries in the early months of the pandemic, but higher income households reported an increase that was over twice as large as the lower income families (higher income households: þ$204.69 /month; lower income households: þ$73.24 /month) [23]. It is likely that the larger increase in grocery costs found among the higher income group reflects the fact that higher income households possess greater discretionary income.…”

“…In addition to severity, evidence can also be cited linking income to spending on food allergy [3 ▪ ,16 ▪ ,23]. In their investigation of the household costs of food allergy in Canada, Golding et al [16 ▪ ] found that higher income families with a child with food allergy reported greater spending on food relative to controls, but the same was not true for lower income families.…”