US sales of foods fortified with medically beneficial ingredients that provide a pharmaceutical advantage beyond that of basic nutrition are estimated to have reached nearly US$25bn in 2006, and are expected to grow to $39bn by 2011.


According to the Funtional, Fortified and Inherently Healthy Foods and Beverages: The US Phood Market report by Packaged Facts, between 2002 and 2006 functional food sales grew by 30%. The report estimates that growth levels are likely to total 10% per annum over the next two years and then remain at a steady 9% thereafter.


The biggest component of the niche is RTE (ready to eat) cereal. Other important products in the sector are food bars, teas, yoghurts and bottled waters.


“During the next few years, the largest increases in nutraceutical ingredient demand are expected to be for glucosamine, probiotics and sterol esters, whey protein, omega-3 fatty acids and Co-Q10, all key drivers in the nutraceuticals market,” said Don Montuori, the publisher of Packaged Facts. “Consumer demand for functional foods is skyrocketing and we expect that greater consumer awareness of the benefits of these foods will stimulate market growth beyond our estimates.”

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