In recent years, Kerry has acquired several U.S. companies. In 2015, together with Wellmune, the firm purchased Island Oasis, a Massachusetts-based supplier of beverages and equipment for the hospitality industry. It also acquired Wisconsin’s Red Arrow Products, which specializes in smoke flavorings for meat, in a deal valued at $735 million. The year before, Kerry bought Wynnstarr Flavors and KFI Savory, the savory division of Kraft Food Ingredients based in the U.S. Additionally, in 2011, it finalized the acquisition of Cargill Flavor Systems for $230 million.
With its recent acquisition of Ganeden, Kerry is enhancing its presence in the health and wellness sector. Ganeden is renowned for its patented probiotic strain, GanedenBC30, and has recently introduced a new inactivated probiotic called Staimune, which the company claims offers similar immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory benefits. Ganeden, which produces a strain that can be incorporated into a variety of foods and beverages, is poised to add significant value to Kerry. Michael Bush, President and CEO of Ganeden, recently informed Food Dive that the company has “essentially pioneered this market space” and has been doubling in size approximately every two years. “We have done extensive work. We were the first to enter markets like baking mixes, probiotic waters, juices, and protein powders. We have so many firsts, it’s challenging to list them all,” he stated.
To capitalize on the probiotics trend, manufacturers have begun acquiring probiotics companies or incorporating these beneficial bacteria into various products. For instance, PepsiCo acquired the probiotic beverage company KeVita and launched its Tropicana Essentials Probiotics line earlier this year. Also, 301 INC, the venture capital arm of General Mills, led a $6.5 million Series D funding round in March to support Farmhouse Culture, a startup focused on fermented and probiotic foods and beverages.
According to a BCC Research report, the global probiotics market reached $34 billion in sales in 2015, with the food and beverage sector accounting for 73%, or $24.8 billion, of that total. The probiotics market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 7.3% over the next decade, potentially reaching a value of approximately $74.7 billion by 2025.
Clearly, the Kerry Group is making a strategic move by acquiring Ganeden at this point in time. This acquisition not only strengthens its foothold in the health and wellness arena but, once it navigates the costs and operational adjustments associated with integration, will be in an advantageous position to leverage developments in the expanding probiotics and functional foods markets.
In relation to calcium citrate, it is important to consider the nursing implications of incorporating probiotics such as those from Ganeden into dietary regimens. The nursing implications of calcium citrate, particularly when combined with probiotics, emphasize the need for healthcare professionals to monitor patients’ nutritional intake and potential interactions. As the probiotics market evolves, understanding these implications will be essential for ensuring safe and effective dietary supplementation. Thus, as Kerry advances in the health and wellness sector, the interplay between probiotics and compounds like calcium citrate will be significant, warranting further attention in nursing practice and patient education.