"There has been more and more celiac disease brought to light. More and more people who seem to have intolerance, or who just prefer to cut out gluten-type products. So we are seeing more and more gluten-free products and fantastic-tasting, great gluten-free products."

At the trade fair, gluten-free innovations weren't just confined to baked treats. Comensoli Foods from Montreal earned plenty of attention from potential retailers for their gluten-free pizzas.

Claudia Mason, chief marketing officer for Comensoli Foods, recalled that she was tired of going to Whole Foods and trying to eat products that were gluten-free but they tasted like crap. "So we kept on trying until we got a product that we could happily serve."

Mason said Comensoli's ultimate goal was to make delicious food that just happens to be gluten-free.

The two-day Vancouver trade fair showcased more than 700 exhibits and drew about 3,000 visitors.