Architects say “form follows function.” When it comes to building a case for functional foods, researchers say consumer interest is forming a sizeable market.
A Global Industry Analysts report estimates the value of the world’s functional foods and beverages market will reach $130 billion by 2015. Fueling the growth will be product innovation and increasingly health-conscious consumers with higher levels of disposable income.
Functional foods, as the report defines, “generally contain some ingredient(s) boasting health-optimizing properties, such as orange juice fortified with calcium for stronger bones, butter/margarine containing omega-3 oils to reduce cholesterol, and fermented foods containing live cultures for probiotic benefits.”