Medical Foods Global Market Report 2024

Medical foods are those specifically formulated to be ingested under the guidance of a doctor and are intended to address a particular dietary need related to the control of an existing disease or condition. These foods are designed to meet specific nutritional requirements for therapeutic purposes. Medical foods are exempt from the usual labeling requirements for nutrition content claims and health claims.

The primary types of medical foods include pills, powders, and other formulations. Medical food pills, for example, are small pellets or tablets often coated, meant to be swallowed whole or chewed. They are specially crafted to fulfill the nutritional needs of patients dealing with various medical conditions such as depression, ADHD, and others. These medical food pills are utilized in the treatment of conditions like Alzheimer's Disease, Diabetic Neuropathy, Nutritional Deficiency, ADHD, and more. They are available through various channels, including online, retail, and institutional outlets.

The medical foods market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides medical foods market statistics, including medical foods industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a medical foods market share, detailed medical foods market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the medical foods industry. This medical foods market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The medical foods market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $21.35 billion in 2023 to $23.07 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.0%. The growth observed in the historical period can be attributed to factors such as the increased prevalence of chronic diseases, advances in both medical and nutritional science, a growing aging population, heightened awareness regarding the role of nutrition in managing health conditions, and regulatory support for medical foods.

The medical foods market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $31.23 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to a growing emphasis on preventive healthcare, a rising demand for personalized nutrition, the expanding applications in the management of metabolic disorders, advancements in nutrigenomics and personalized medicine, and an increasing consumer interest in functional foods. Key trends expected in the forecast period include the development of condition-specific medical food formulations, collaborative efforts between the food and pharmaceutical industries, the expansion of distribution channels, including e-commerce platforms, the integration of digital technologies for personalized nutrition, and a focus on clean-label and natural ingredients in medical foods.

The growth of the medical foods market is significantly influenced by the increasing geriatric population. Aging, at the molecular and cellular level, results in the accumulation of biomolecular damage over time, leading to a gradual decline in functional capacity and an elevated risk of diseases. These changes, often unrelated to chronological age, prompt a growing reliance on specific nutritional foods, particularly medical foods, by the elderly to manage health issues associated with chronic and age-related diseases. A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) in October 2022 highlighted the projection that by 2030, one in six people globally will be 60 or older, and by 2050, the worldwide population of individuals aged 60 or older is expected to reach 2.1 billion. Consequently, the surge in the geriatric population is anticipated to drive the growth of the medical foods market.

The escalating number of cancer cases is poised to fuel the expansion of the medical foods market. Cancer, characterized by uncontrolled and abnormal cell growth, necessitates nutritional support to address the needs and enhance the overall health and quality of life of patients undergoing treatment. Research published by the American Cancer Society in January 2022 indicated that in the US, an estimated 609,360 cancer deaths and 1.9 million new cases are anticipated in 2022. The rising prevalence of cancer cases, with about 1,670 fatalities daily, is a significant factor propelling the demand for medical foods and, consequently, contributing to the growth of the medical foods market.

Major players in the medical foods market are introducing innovative products, including foods for special medical purposes (FSMP), to cater to broader customer bases, increase sales, and boost revenue. FSMP represents a category of specially formulated food products designed for individuals with specific medical conditions. In July 2022, Nestle, a Switzerland-based food company, launched Si Yi Su, an FSMP tailored for individuals dealing with tumor-related conditions. Si Yi Su's unique formulation includes arginine, fish oil omega-3, nucleotides, and other essential nutritional components, specifically targeting inflammation and reinforcing compromised immunity in patients.

Companies in the medical foods market are developing innovative products like medical foods for inflammatory issues to expand their customer base, drive sales, and enhance revenue. Medical foods for inflammatory issues are specialized dietary products addressing the nutritional needs of individuals with conditions characterized by chronic inflammation, such as autoimmune disorders or inflammatory bowel diseases. Lanfam LLC, a US-based food company, introduced Proleeva in March 2022, a medical food designed to meet nutritional needs for optimal performance in cases involving inflammation. Proleeva aims to address nutrient and amino acid deficiencies associated with chronic pain and inflammatory disorders, targeting conditions like fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, diabetic neuropathy, and rheumatoid arthritis.

In July 2023, Pentec Health Inc., a US-based pharmaceutical products and services company, acquired ZOIA Pharma, emphasizing the commitment to expanding accessibility to medical foods for individuals with rare conditions. This acquisition ensures access to the latest PKU GOLIKE family of medical food products, specifically benefiting patients with phenylketonuria (PKU). The strategic move positions Pentec Health as a comprehensive care provider, extending its medical foods offerings into emerging and underserved areas of clinical nutrition. ZOIA Pharma, the US-based medical food company, was instrumental in this acquisition.

Major companies operating in the in the medical foods market report are Nestlé SA, Danone SA, Fresenius Kabi AG, Mead Johnson & Company LLC, Primus Pharmaceuticals Inc., Abbott Nutrition Inc., Accera Inc., Ajinomoto Cambrooke Inc., Applied Food Sciences Inc., Axcan Pharma Inc., Cambrooke Therapeutics Inc., Danone Nutricia North America Inc., Health and Happiness (H&H) Group Limited, RFI Ingredients LLC, Scientific Hospital Supplies Ltd, Solace Nutrition LLC, Synthetic Biologics Inc., Targeted Medical Pharma Inc., VAYA Pharma Inc., Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Braun Melsungen AG, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences, Enteral Nutrition Holdings Inc., Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., Hollister Incorporated, Intensive care unit Medical Inc., Medtronic plc, Nestlé Health Science S. A., Nutricia North America Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Pfizer Nutrition Inc., Koninklijke DSM NV, Stryker Corporation, Total Parenteral Nutrition Solutions Inc.

North America was the largest region in the medical foods market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the medical foods market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the medical foods market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Canada, Spain.

The medical foods market consists of sales of oral rehydration products, amino acids, and probiotics. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified)).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.


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