The strong growth of the Italian health food sector reflects a decade of food-related scares, according to a report from Research and Markets. The organic sector is particularly strong while growth in the demand for functional foods lags somewhat behind other markets because Italians view their Mediterranean diet as sufficiently healthy. 

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In 2005, the share of health foods (including organic) in dairy, breakfast cereals, confectionery, snacks and baked goods sectors reached 34%. In dairy and confectionery markets, health food sales accounted for half of total sales, but only 4% of crisps and snacks purchased were ‘healthy’ options.