Extract and ingredient manufacturers are investigating ways to integrate curcumin into formulations for nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, herbal products, cosmetics, and functional foods and beverages. A significant market segment consists of consumers who prefer ready-to-eat options featuring turmeric, rather than cooking with it themselves. However, turmeric has faced challenges, including associations with lead contamination and several product recalls. These issues largely arise from insufficient oversight, which could be addressed by domestic cultivation and processing of turmeric in the U.S., where food safety standards are more rigorously applied.
Today’s consumers are increasingly drawn to natural methods for enhancing their health, as reflected in the growing “food as medicine” trend. Medical foods remain a relatively novel category for manufacturers, with major contributions mainly from Nestle and Hormel. As the global population ages, medical issues are expected to rise, prompting many consumers to turn to food for managing health conditions. Understanding this critical consumer base is essential for the industry; it’s one thing to be health-conscious, but entirely another to view food as a treatment for chronic diseases. This shift empowers manufacturers to influence dietary choices and potentially impact medical treatment approaches. The market for medical foods is projected to be worth $15 billion, presenting both significant opportunities and challenges for companies eager to tap into this rapidly expanding sector.
Nestle has allocated a $500-million budget for medical foods research through 2021, which includes $1 million in machinery designed for human DNA analysis at a lab in Lausanne, Switzerland, aiming to create personalized programs for patients. In recent years, Nestle has acquired and partnered with medical food companies to bolster its initiatives. For instance, the company acquired Pamlab in 2013, which produces products intended for medical supervision related to brain and metabolic health. More recently, Colorado-based startup Know Brainer Foods collaborated with Nestle to develop a line of coffee creamers that incorporate medium-chain triglycerides, organic grass-fed butter, and added collagen protein, claiming these products can enhance focus and energy throughout the day.
With the increasing prevalence of functional foods and beverages, it’s plausible that people may eventually receive “prescriptions” for turmeric and related products to address mild memory or mood issues. This concept is reminiscent of “food pharmacies” emerging in the Bay Area, which provide fresh produce to individuals grappling with diabetes, hypertension, and other diet-related health concerns. In this evolving landscape, products like calcium citrate plus D3 maximum tablets 400 count may also find a place as consumers seek holistic approaches to health management. As the market expands, the intersection of food and health continues to evolve, promising both innovation and new pathways for wellness.