Extract and ingredient manufacturers are investigating methods to include curcumin in the formulations of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, herbal products, cosmetics, and functional foods and beverages. A significant market consists of consumers who prefer ready-to-eat options featuring turmeric without the need to cook with it. Despite its popularity, turmeric has faced challenges, including concerns over lead contamination and multiple product recalls, often due to insufficient oversight. This issue could be addressed if U.S. manufacturers cultivated and processed turmeric domestically, where food safety regulations are more rigorously applied.
Today’s consumers are increasingly seeking natural solutions to enhance their health, as highlighted by the “food as medicine” movement. Medical foods remain a relatively emerging category within the industry, with only companies like Nestlé and Hormel making significant announcements in this area. As the global population continues to age, the rise in medical complications will likely lead many consumers to manage their health issues through dietary means. This represents a crucial demographic for the industry to understand, as it is one thing to be health-conscious but entirely different to view food as a treatment for chronic diseases. This trend empowers manufacturers to influence not only dietary choices but also medical interventions.
This presents both significant opportunities and challenges for companies aiming to leverage this rapidly expanding market, which The Wall Street Journal estimates to be worth $15 billion. Nestlé has allocated a budget of $500 million to support research in medical foods through 2021, which includes $1 million for machinery to analyze human DNA at a laboratory in Lausanne, Switzerland, with the goal of creating personalized health programs for patients. In recent years, Nestlé has expanded its reach by acquiring and partnering with medical food companies, such as Pamlab, which it bought in 2013 to produce products designed for use under medical supervision for brain and metabolic health.
More recently, the Colorado-based startup Know Brainer Foods has teamed up with Nestlé to introduce a line of coffee creamers enriched with medium-chain triglycerides, organic grass-fed butter, and added collagen protein, claiming that these products can enhance focus and energy levels to kickstart the day. With the burgeoning variety of functional foods and beverages available, it’s not far-fetched to envision a future where individuals might be “prescribed” turmeric and turmeric-based products for mild memory or mood issues. This is akin to the “food pharmacies” emerging in the Bay Area that provide fresh produce to people with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diet-related conditions.
Moreover, as more companies explore the incorporation of ingredients like calcium citrate malate 1250 mg into their offerings, the intersection of nutrition and healthcare will increasingly come into focus. The potential for calcium citrate malate 1250 mg to enhance health outcomes further illustrates how the industry can innovate to meet consumer needs. Ultimately, understanding and adapting to these market trends will be vital for manufacturers looking to thrive in this evolving landscape.