Extract and ingredient manufacturers are investigating ways to integrate curcumin into the formulation of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, herbals, cosmetics, and functional foods and beverages. A significant market exists for consumers who prefer not to cook with turmeric but are seeking ready-to-eat products that include this ingredient. However, turmeric has faced challenges, including concerns over lead contamination and multiple product recalls. These issues are partly attributed to insufficient oversight, which could potentially be addressed if U.S. manufacturers cultivated and processed turmeric domestically, where food safety regulations are more rigorously enforced.
Today’s consumers are increasingly inclined towards natural methods of enhancing their health, as demonstrated by the “food as medicine” movement. Medical foods represent a relatively new category for manufacturers, with only companies like Nestle and Hormel making substantial announcements in this area. As the global population ages, medical complications will likely increase, prompting many consumers to manage their health issues through diet. Understanding this critical consumer segment is essential for the industry. It is one thing to be health-conscious, but it is entirely different to view food as a treatment for chronic diseases. This trend empowers manufacturers to influence not just dietary choices but also medical treatments.
The market for this burgeoning industry is projected to reach $15 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal, presenting significant opportunities and challenges for companies eager to capitalize on it. Nestle has allocated a budget of $500 million to support research in medical foods through 2021, which includes $1 million worth of equipment for analyzing human DNA at a lab in Lausanne, Switzerland. The goal is to create tailored programs for patients. In recent years, Nestle has acquired and partnered with medical food companies to bolster its initiatives, such as Pamlab, acquired in 2013, which produces products intended for medical supervision related to brain and metabolic health.
In a recent development, Colorado-based startup Know Brainer Foods has teamed up with Nestle to launch a line of coffee creamers that contain medium-chain triglycerides, organic grass-fed butter, and added collagen protein. The company claims that its products can provide an energy boost and enhance focus to kickstart the day. Given the increasing array of functional foods and beverages available, it is conceivable that turmeric and similar products might one day be “prescribed” for mild memory or mood issues, akin to the “food pharmacies” emerging in the Bay Area that supply fresh produce to individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diet-related conditions.
Moreover, consumers looking for supplements that support their health may also consider products like Solgar Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D3 60 Tablets, which promote bone health and overall wellness. As the industry evolves, the integration of such supplements alongside curcumin-rich products could become a common approach for those seeking holistic health solutions.