Schär is pioneering gluten free quality of life
Europe’s favourite gluten free brand started in a little chemist’s and health food shop in Meran/Merano in South Tyrol. Today we at Schär are your partner of choice for the ultimate gluten free diet and lifestyle. Every day, on your behalf, we put a huge amount of effort and commitment into research, education and other services concerning coeliac disease and gluten/wheat sensitivity.
The Schär brand was founded in 1922. It was initially a gluten free infant formula, produced by the Chief Medical Officer for Innsbruck, Dr. Anton Schär. When Ulrich Ladurner took over his parents’ chemist’s and health food shop at the age of 23, he was already interested in these gluten free products. He introduced them to the shop's range of products and eventually took over the entire brand in 1979. He believed in the potential of the products because he knew from conversations with his customers that there was no really suitable food for people with coeliac disease. From then on, he specialised in supplying gluten free foods, eventually launching the Schär brand on the market in 1981.
Gluten free foods revolutionise the market
35 years ago, the diagnosis rate for coeliac disease was comparatively low. The topic of intolerances was slow to become a hot topic. Interest in and the need to develop gluten free recipes grew in proportion to this development.
It is estimated that one in every 100 people is affected by coeliac disease. To this day, eating gluten free food is regarded as the only way of dealing with this intolerance. Previously, a gluten free diet was based on simple, naturally gluten free recipes made from rice, maize and potatoes. Schär gradually introduced gluten free products including a range of biscuits and gluten free flour to the shelves.
This was a kind of revolution for those affected and they gradually rediscovered their quality of life. Finally, someone was offering a proper solution: gluten free products that met their needs according to nutritional science. Schär continues to offer gluten free versions of popular conventional foods today. They come very close to these in taste, smell, appearance and consistency and fit seamlessly into today’s lifestyle. These products include healthy, gluten free convenience foods.
