Gazing into the crystal ball: future considerations for ensuring sustained growth of the functional food and nutraceutical marketplace

Abstract

Over the last decade the concept of functional foods and nutraceuticals (FFN) has gained support from various stakeholders including the food industry, scientific and academic community, government institutions or regulators, producers and consumers. However, as one begins to evaluate the global FFN industry, several issues emerge including (i) a lack of consensus across jurisdictions for acknowledging safe and efficacious FFN, (ii) challenges regarding the classification of novel food-derived bioactives as FFN or drugs, and (iii) a disconnect between nutrient requirements and dosages of FFN required to facilitate health benefits. The objectives of the present review are to discuss the role of existing stakeholders within the FFN marketplace and identify performance indicators for growth within the FFN sector. In addition, the following report provides feasible resolutions to present and future challenges facing the global FFN industry to ensure sustained long-term growth.

Nutraceuticals and dyslipidaemia: Beyond the common therapeutics

“…Surely, functional food and nutraceuticals have the potential to become the future of primary prevention in dyslipidaemia treatment in particular and, secondarily, in cardiovascular disease prevention because of their demonstrated actions in past studies. Marinangeli and Jones (2013) supposed an important role for them in human diet and cardiovascular risk reduction, but, correctly, they noted that such a role may be greatly increased and become more reliable in clinical practice with only increased trust by industrial producers in these products. The researchers hoped that manufacturers will be able to devote resources to nutraceutical development, but the economic crisis has limited such an effort.…”

Utilizing the bioactive contents of specialty oils and fats

“…Bioactives, along with functional foods and nutraceuticals, have been of rapidly growing importance in the food industry during the past two decades (Marinangeli and Jones, 2013). In the first 7 years of the 2000s, the functional foods and nutraceuticals industry grew by more than $50 billion-an upward trend that has continued into this decade (Blandon et al, 2007;Kearney, 2010).…”

“…In the first 7 years of the 2000s, the functional foods and nutraceuticals industry grew by more than $50 billion-an upward trend that has continued into this decade (Blandon et al, 2007;Kearney, 2010). During this time, the industry has received stakeholder interest from the food industry, government institutions, scientific communities, and directly from consumers (Blandon et al, 2007;Marinangeli and Jones, 2013). The recent growth in economic interest in these food components has coincided with a growing belief among consumers that foods may directly positively affect their health (Mollet and Rowland, 2002).…”

Understanding heterogeneity in decision-making among elderly consumers: the case of functional foods

“…Developing and commercializing protein-enriched foods that appeal to independently living elderly could help these elderly consumers to also meet their increased need of protein. As a result, these products could benefit public health by helping prevent nutritional deficiencies, improving elderly's quality of life (Brownie, 2006) and decreasing healthcare costs (Marinangeli & Jones, 2013). In addition, enriched foods are interesting from the 5 5…”

“…Specifically, appetite declines with age whereas the recommended daily intake of many nutrients increases (World Health Organization, 2004). This paradox can result in nutritional deficiencies, which decrease the quality of life of elderly (Brownie, 2006) and increase healthcare costs (Marinangeli & Jones, 2013). Moreover, elderly show an interest in healthy eating (Roininen, Lähteenmäki & Tuorila, 1999) and are willing to spend money on products that meet their needs (Leek, Szmigin & Carrigan, 2001;Yoon & Cole, 2008).…”