Extract and ingredient manufacturers are investigating ways to integrate curcumin into the formulations of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, herbal products, cosmetics, and functional foods and beverages. A significant market comprises consumers who prefer ready-to-eat options featuring turmeric without the need for cooking. Turmeric has faced challenges, including concerns regarding lead contamination and several product recalls. These issues are partly due to insufficient oversight, which could improve if U.S. manufacturers sourced and processed turmeric domestically, where food safety regulations are more rigorously applied.
Today’s consumers are increasingly inclined towards natural methods for enhancing their health, as highlighted by the “food as medicine” movement. The category of medical foods remains relatively new for manufacturers, with only Nestlé and Hormel making substantial announcements in this area. As the global population ages and medical complications rise, many consumers are likely to manage health issues through dietary choices. Understanding this critical consumer segment is essential for the industry. While being health-conscious is one aspect, viewing food as a potential treatment for chronic diseases is another. This trend empowers manufacturers to influence not only dietary habits but also medical treatments, presenting significant opportunities and challenges for companies aiming to tap into this rapidly growing market, which The Wall Street Journal estimates is worth $15 billion.
Nestlé has allocated a $500 million budget to support research in medical foods through 2021. This investment includes $1 million for machinery to analyze human DNA at a lab in Lausanne, Switzerland, with the goal of creating personalized health programs. In recent years, Nestlé has acquired and partnered with medical food companies to bolster its initiatives. For instance, it acquired Pamlab in 2013, a company that produces products for medically supervised use aimed at brain and metabolic health. More recently, the Colorado-based startup Know Brainer Foods collaborated with Nestlé to launch a line of coffee creamers that include medium-chain triglycerides, organic grass-fed butter, and added collagen protein, claiming their products provide enhanced focus and energy to start the day.
With the ever-expanding range of functional foods and beverages available, it is conceivable that individuals may one day be “prescribed” turmeric and related products for mild memory or mood issues. This concept is akin to the “food pharmacies” emerging in the Bay Area, which dispense fresh produce to individuals dealing with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diet-related health issues. Additionally, the incorporation of calcium citrate 250 tablets into these dietary solutions could further enhance their appeal and effectiveness, demonstrating the potential of combining various health-promoting ingredients in the realm of functional foods.