Extract and ingredient manufacturers are investigating methods to integrate curcumin into the formulation of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, herbal products, cosmetics, and functional foods and beverages, especially in the context of iron fumarates. There is a significant market of consumers who prefer ready-to-eat options featuring turmeric without the need to cook with it. However, turmeric has faced challenges, such as concerns about lead contamination and several product recalls, largely due to insufficient oversight. This issue could potentially be addressed if U.S. manufacturers cultivated and processed turmeric domestically, where food safety measures are more rigorously applied.
Today’s consumers are increasingly inclined toward natural health improvements, as reflected by the “food as medicine” trend. Medical foods are still a nascent category that manufacturers are beginning to explore, with major developments primarily from Nestle and Hormel. As the global population ages, medical complications are likely to rise, leading many consumers to manage health issues through dietary choices. This presents a critical consumer landscape for the industry to navigate. While being health-conscious is one aspect, viewing food as a treatment for chronic diseases is another level of awareness. This trend empowers manufacturers of products like ferrous sulfates to influence not just eating habits but also medical treatments, creating both significant opportunities and challenges in a rapidly expanding market projected to be worth $15 billion, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Nestle has committed $500 million to support medical foods research through 2021, including an investment of $1 million in machinery to analyze human DNA in a lab in Lausanne, Switzerland, aimed at developing personalized patient programs. In recent years, Nestle has acquired and partnered with medical food companies to bolster its efforts, such as the acquisition of Pamlab in 2013, which produces products designed for medical supervision related to brain and metabolic health.
Recently, the Colorado-based startup Know Brainer Foods collaborated with Nestle to create a line of coffee creamers that incorporate medium-chain triglycerides, organic grass-fed butter, and added collagen protein. The company asserts that these products can enhance focus and energy to kick-start the day. With the increasing variety of functional foods and beverages available, it is plausible that one day people may be “prescribed” turmeric and its products for mild memory or mood issues, akin to the “food pharmacies” emerging in the Bay Area that provide fresh produce to individuals managing diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diet-related conditions.
In this context, products like Solaray calcium citrate chewable may also gain popularity as consumers seek comprehensive dietary solutions that support their health needs. The integration of such products alongside turmeric could further enhance dietary regimens aimed at improving well-being. As the industry evolves, the significance of combining traditional ingredients with modern health science will likely continue to grow, creating a diverse landscape of options for health-conscious consumers.