Extract and ingredient manufacturers are looking into ways to integrate curcumin into the formulations of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, herbal products, cosmetics, and functional foods and beverages. A significant market exists for consumers who prefer ready-to-eat options featuring turmeric without having to cook with it. However, turmeric has faced challenges, including concerns about lead contamination and several recalls, largely due to insufficient oversight. This issue could be mitigated if U.S. manufacturers cultivated and processed turmeric domestically, where food safety protocols are more rigorously applied.
Today’s consumers are increasingly interested in natural approaches to health, as reflected in the “food as medicine” movement. Medical foods remain a relatively new focus for manufacturers, with only major players like Nestlé and Hormel making significant strides in this area. As the global population ages, the prevalence of medical issues is expected to rise, prompting many consumers to manage their health conditions through dietary choices.
This demographic is crucial for the industry to understand; while being health-conscious is one thing, viewing food as a method to manage chronic diseases is an entirely different perspective. This trend empowers manufacturers to influence not only dietary habits but also potential medical treatments. The fast-developing market in this sector is projected to reach $15 billion, presenting both opportunities and challenges for companies aiming to capitalize on it.
Nestlé has allocated a budget of $500 million to advance medical foods research through 2021, which includes $1 million in machinery for analyzing human DNA at a lab in Lausanne, Switzerland. The goal is to create personalized health programs for patients. In recent years, Nestlé has made acquisitions and formed partnerships with medical food companies to bolster its initiatives. For instance, in 2013, it acquired Pamlab, a company that produces medical products for brain and metabolic health.
Recently, Colorado-based startup Know Brainer Foods collaborated with Nestlé to launch a line of coffee creamers featuring medium-chain triglycerides, organic grass-fed butter, and added collagen protein. The company asserts that its products can enhance focus and energy to kick-start the day. With the increasing variety of functional foods and beverages available, it is conceivable that turmeric and turmeric-infused products could one day be “prescribed” for mild memory or mood issues, akin to the “food pharmacies” emerging in the Bay Area that provide fresh produce to individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diet-related conditions.
Additionally, the incorporation of calcium and magnesium supplements, such as those offered by Kirkland, could complement these health-focused initiatives. As consumer interest in holistic health solutions continues to grow, the synergy between these nutrients and turmeric products may be an area worth exploring for manufacturers.