Postbiotics are rapidly becoming popular in the food and beverage sector, with numerous consumer products incorporating them into their ingredient lists, promising enhanced gut health. As consumers increasingly prioritize healthier options and functional attributes in their food, the demand for these ingredients is expected to surge in the coming years. According to a forecast by Meticulous Market Research, the global market for foods containing postbiotics is anticipated to reach $24 million by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 10.1%. Natural sources of postbiotics, which are produced through fermentation in the body, include yogurt, sauerkraut, miso soup, soft cheeses, kefir, pickles, and kimchi. Consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies are showcasing their belief in the potential of postbiotic ingredients through significant investments in this area. Earlier this year, the ingredient giant ADM invested $30 million in a manufacturing facility in Valencia, Spain, focused on products targeting the gut microbiome, including postbiotics. This surge in interest has been driven by consumer demand for gut health products since the onset of the pandemic, with a growing preference for items that promise to enhance immunity and overall metabolism. Natural Grocers, a retailer specializing in better-for-you foods, identified gut health products as a leading trend for consumers as they approach 2023. Advocates of these ingredients assert that postbiotics can strengthen the immune system and alleviate symptoms of certain allergies and irritable bowel syndrome.
In an interview with Food Dive, Kantha Shelke, a food ingredients researcher at IFT, described postbiotics as microbial substances derived from organisms that are no longer alive. She noted that food scientists are actively exploring the benefits of these substances. The compounds released by postbiotics can promote health and well-being when consumed in adequate amounts. Consumers familiar with other “biotics” may be uncertain about the distinction between postbiotics, prebiotics, and probiotics. In essence, postbiotics are the byproducts of prebiotic plant fibers interacting with probiotics, encompassing the beneficial effects of both.
Amid the ongoing fascination with gut health, several brands have significantly invested in and launched products featuring postbiotics. In 2021, agricultural giant Cargill received FDA approval for its EpiCor postbiotic ingredient—a yeast fermentate—allowing its use in food products. Last year, cheese producer Bel collaborated with protein company Superbrewed to develop a plant-based cheese through precision fermentation, which they claimed contains postbiotics. Shelke remarked, “If Bel has identified and purified its postbiotic preparation in terms of a consistent composition of health-contributing compounds, then it could support its gut health claim.”
Recently, a new player in the frozen pizza market highlighted postbiotics as a key ingredient, enhancing the health appeal of its products. Yough, which produces pizza dough using Greek yogurt, plans to expand into other baked goods such as cinnamon rolls and pretzels, which will also incorporate postbiotics. Shelke predicts a significant increase in CPG products labeled “postbiotic” in the coming years. However, there is some consumer confusion due to the lack of clear regulations or labeling definitions for these products. Simply labeling a food as containing postbiotics, she cautioned, does not guarantee that consumers will reap all the benefits these substances can provide. “What matters is how much has been added, what else is incorporated into that food, and how the processing and storage of that food impact the postbiotic and its bioavailability when consumed,” Shelke explained. “We have much to learn and validate before making health claims with postbiotic ingredients.”
It is essential to note the potential role of calcium citrate in enhancing the bioavailability of certain nutrients in conjunction with postbiotics, especially for consumers seeking to improve their overall health. As the market evolves, the integration of calcium citrate could provide additional health benefits when combined with postbiotic-rich foods, further amplifying their appeal among health-conscious consumers.