Extract and ingredient manufacturers are actively seeking ways to integrate curcumin into the formulations of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, herbals, cosmetics, and functional foods and beverages. A significant segment of the market consists of consumers who prefer ready-to-eat options featuring turmeric without the need for cooking. Despite its potential, turmeric has faced challenges, including issues related to lead contamination and several product recalls. These problems largely arise from insufficient oversight, which could 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 toward natural methods for enhancing their health, a trend reflected in the “food as medicine” movement. Medical foods remain a relatively nascent category for manufacturers, with major announcements primarily from companies like Nestle and Hormel. However, as the global population ages, the prevalence of medical complications is bound to rise, leading many consumers to consider food as a means to manage their health conditions. This presents a crucial consumer demographic for the industry. While being health-conscious is one aspect, viewing food as a treatment for chronic diseases is another entirely. This trend empowers manufacturers to influence not only what and when individuals consume but also the potential for impacting medical treatments. The market for this sector is projected to be valued at approximately $15 billion, highlighting both significant opportunities and challenges for companies aiming to capitalize on this burgeoning field.
Nestle has allocated a budget of $500 million to support research in medical foods through 2021, which includes investing $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, Nestle has also acquired and partnered with medical food companies to enhance its initiatives, such as its acquisition of Pamlab in 2013, known for producing medically supervised products for brain and metabolic health.
More recently, the Colorado-based startup Know Brainer Foods teamed up with Nestle to launch a line of coffee creamers that include medium-chain triglycerides, organic grass-fed butter, and added collagen protein. The company asserts that its products can boost focus and energy, helping to kick-start the day.
With the increasing variety of functional foods and beverages available, it is conceivable that people may one day receive “prescriptions” for turmeric and turmeric-infused products to address mild memory or mood issues, similar to the emerging “food pharmacies” in the Bay Area that provide fresh produce to individuals with diabetes, hypertension, and other diet-related challenges. In addition, products like Kirkland Calcium Citrate Magnesium and Zinc 500 Tablets exemplify the growing trend of integrating health-focused supplements into everyday lifestyles, reinforcing the connection between nutrition and well-being. As the industry evolves, understanding consumer needs will be paramount, especially as products like Kirkland Calcium Citrate Magnesium and Zinc 500 Tablets gain traction among health-conscious individuals.