Pizza Hut Adds Gluten-Free Pizza to its Menu

In response to the growing popularity of gluten-free foods, Pizza Hut announced plans to offer a gluten-free pizza by the end of the month. It will be the first major pizza chain to offer a certified gluten-free pizza.

Pizza Hut's 10-inch gluten-free pizza will sell for $9.99, and one of its six slices will be about 150 calories, reports USA Today. The chain partnered with Udi's Gluten Free Foods and the non-profit organization Gluten Intolerance Group to develop the menu item. It will be available at about 2,600 locations across the country starting January 26.

According to USA Today, the pizza will be made under strict guidelines. All the ingredients, including the Udi's gluten-free crust, cheese and marinara sauce, will be stored separately in a Gluten-Free Kit and baked fresh-to-order. Employees will wear gloves when handling gluten-free ingredients, and there will be a designated gluten-free pizza cutter.

Gluten-free foods have become a booming trend over the past few years. Only those with Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder where gluten can damage the small intestines, need to eliminate gluten proteins, found in wheat, rye and barley products, from their diet, but many consumers choose to avoid gluten for their own health reasons. Business Insider reports that Dunkin' Donuts and Domino's Pizza have added gluten-free options in the past year. Recently, the Girl Scouts made news when they added new gluten-free cookies to their line-up.

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