Global Industry Analysts Sees Global $130 Billion Functional Food and Beverage Market By 2015

Driven by health and aging concerns, lifestyle changes and growing wealth, functional foods are moving to the mainstream and, according to Global Industry Analysts, set to reach $130 billion in sales by 2015. Growth slowed in 2009 and 2010 but remained positive and is now recovering; Asia Pacific will have especially strong growth at 6% annually through 2015. GIA sees continuing innovation in functional foods and drinks as companies target specific needs such as heart health, energy and antioxidant delivery, increasingly using niche ingredients such as spirulina, wheatgrass and Chlorella and other  ‘super greens’.