Products - Medical Foods

The global market for Medical Food products is expanding rapidly. While driving factors for this phenomenon are numerous, they primarily include the rapidly growing understanding and acceptance of the role of nutrition in disease management, aging populations, and increasing incidence of lifestyle diseases worldwide.

As an established nutritional science company with an international presence, Grünbiotics is primed to take advantage of increases in the Medical Foods global market – also known as “Food for Special Medical Purpose” (by the Codex Alimentarius Commission – FAO-WHO/UN and in China, the European Union, Australia and New Zealand), “Food for Specified Health Uses” (in Japan), “Medical Foods” (USA) and “Foods for Special Dietary Uses” (in Canada).

Grünbiotics continues to build on its proven product success of Neurofolin® and Ceretain® in various Medical Foods markets. Our response to this global demand has been new product development and further expansion into fresh territories, markets and product areas.

Medical Foods

A Unique Market Position

Medical Foods differ to both nutritional supplements and pharmaceutical products in that they assist people suffering from certain diseases, medical conditions or disorders who cannot meet specialised nutritional requirements via a normal diet. Whereas nutritional supplements and functional foods are developed for healthy individuals to maintain wellbeing, pharmaceuticals are technically manufactured medicines or drugs for a similar target market to that of the Medical Foods industry.

Consumer Insights

Driving Growth Factors in the Medical Foods Market

Some of the main driving factors behind the rapid increase in the Medical Foods market globally include:

  • Growing understanding of the critical role of nutrition in many diseases and medical conditions, such as depression and dementia

  • Ageing populations are increasing

  • Ageing populations are becoming more health conscious

  • Increased wealth and spending power amongst ageing populations

  • Serious disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, have grown as populations increase

  • Lifestyle illnesses and chronic diseases are rising globally

  • Increases in health consciousness across all populations

  • Increased supplementation of inadequate nutrition (such as deficiencies responsible for premature birth in China and India)

  • Supplementation of inadequate nutrition in ageing populations (due to suboptimal absorption of critical vitamins and nutrients and loss of appetite)

  • An increased number of people suffering from malnutrition in cancer are receiving treatment in the form of medical nutrition products

Market Insights

Global Medical Foods Estimates & Forecasts

A market research report by Grand View Research investigated the Medical Foods Market (by route of administration, product type, application type and segment forecasts) for the years 2014 to 2016 and the forecast period of 2017 to 2025 across the U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, Japan, China, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa. This report found that:

  • The total global market for Medical Foods in 2015 was valued at USD 12.3 billion

  • The current market is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 6.9% over the forecast period to 2025

Bekryl Market Analysts examined the 2018 global Medical Foods market and provided forecasts to 2028 across the regions of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. This research found that:

  • The global Medical Foods market size is estimated to be valued at USD 11.1 billion in 2018

  • There will be a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%, generating a collective revenue opportunity of USD 15 billion over the forecast period to 2028

Europe, Asia-Pacific & North America Medical Foods Estimates & Forecasts

North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific are the largest Medical Food markets globally:

  • North America had the largest market share in 2015 and is expected to remain that way over the forecast period to 2025 (Grand View Research)

  • In 2015, Europe was the second largest market behind North America (Grand View Research)

  • The Asia-Pacific was the third largest market and is expected to be the fastest growing region with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8% over the 2016 to 2025 forecast period (Grand View Research)

  • According to Bekryl Market Analysts, in 2018, North America and Western Europe together made up 64% of the global revenue in the Medical Foods market

  • Bekryl Market Analysts also found that in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan accounted for more than half the market share

Medical Foods by Application Type

The Medical Foods market can also be analysed by the type of disorder, medical condition or disease it is being used to treat (such as nutritional deficiency, Alzheimer’s, depression and diabetes).

  • In 2015, Grand View Research found that Medical Foods were mostly used in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage)

  • Grand View Research also projected that nutritional deficiency is expected to be the fastest growing Medical Foods segment up to 2025

Competitive Landscape

Medical Foods

The global Medical Foods market contains substantially sized players with highly recognised brands, including: Nutricia; Nestlé Health Sciense; Abbott; Targeted Medical Pharma Inc.; Primus Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Mead Johnson & Company, LLC; and Fresenius Kabi Global.

The global Medical Foods market, in which Grünbiotics’ products are strongly positioned, is experiencing enormous growth due to significant changes in population and consumption behaviours worldwide. The leading regional markets on the global stage by market share include North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, with the latter projected to be the fastest growing region in the years to come.