Extract and ingredient manufacturers are investigating ways to integrate curcumin into the development 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 but do not wish to cook with it. However, 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 applied.
Today’s consumers are increasingly seeking natural methods to enhance their health, as illustrated by the “food as medicine” movement. The category of medical foods remains relatively new for manufacturers, with major contributions primarily from companies like Nestlé and Hormel. As the global population ages, the prevalence of medical complications is expected to rise, leading many consumers to manage their health concerns through dietary choices. Understanding this critical consumer segment is essential for the industry. While being health-conscious is one aspect, viewing food as a means to treat chronic diseases is another entirely. This trend empowers manufacturers to influence both dietary habits and medical treatments, offering substantial opportunities and challenges for companies aiming to tap into this rapidly expanding market, projected to be valued at $15 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Nestlé has committed a budget of $500 million to advance research in medical foods through 2021, which includes $1 million earmarked for machinery to analyze human DNA at a laboratory in Lausanne, Switzerland. The goal is to create personalized health programs for patients. In recent years, Nestlé has acquired and partnered with medical food companies to bolster its initiatives. One notable example is Pamlab, acquired in 2013, which produces products for medical supervision related to brain and metabolic health.
Additionally, the Colorado-based startup Know Brainer Foods has collaborated with Nestlé to develop a line of coffee creamers that incorporate medium-chain triglycerides, organic grass-fed butter, and added collagen protein. The company asserts that its products can enhance focus and energy levels to kick-start the day. Given the increasing array of functional foods and beverages available, it is entirely conceivable that turmeric and turmeric-infused products could eventually be “prescribed” for mild memory or mood issues. This concept parallels the emerging “food pharmacies” in the Bay Area that provide fresh produce to individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diet-related conditions.
In this evolving landscape, the integration of calcium citrate USP and vitamin D3 into medical foods could further enhance their appeal, as these ingredients are known to support overall health and well-being. The incorporation of calcium citrate USP and vitamin D3 into various products could resonate with health-conscious consumers, especially as they seek natural solutions to manage chronic health conditions. Thus, the potential for turmeric and complementary ingredients like calcium citrate USP and vitamin D3 to be utilized in innovative health solutions is an area ripe for exploration in the burgeoning market of functional foods and beverages.