Medical Foods Market Forecasts to 2030 - Global Analysis By Product, Route of Administration, Sales Channel, Nutritional Ingredient, Form, Age Group, Application and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Medical Foods Market is accounted for $27.62 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $44.31 billion by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period. Medical foods are specially formulated products intended for the dietary management of diseases or conditions with distinctive nutritional needs that cannot be met by a normal diet alone. Unlike dietary supplements, medical foods are meant to be used under medical supervision and are often used for specific conditions like metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, or neurological disorders. They are formulated based on scientific principles to provide essential nutrients in precise amounts, tailored to the individual's condition.

According to the World Health Organization, the global population of people aged 60 and over is expected to double from 12 percent to 22 percent between 2015 and 2050. According to the International Diabetic Federation, around 463 million adults have diabetes in 2019, with this figure expected to climb to 700 million by 2045.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Rise in metabolic disorders

The rise in metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, phenylketonuria, and various inborn errors of metabolism, is significantly driving the growth of the medical food market. As these conditions require precise dietary management to control symptoms and prevent complications, there is an increasing demand for specialized medical foods designed to meet the nutritional needs of affected individuals. Additionally, greater awareness among healthcare professionals and patients about the role of nutrition in managing metabolic disorders contributes to the expanding market for medical foods.

Restraint:

Limited awareness and adoption

In the medical food market, limited awareness and adoption are significant restraints. Many healthcare professionals and patients are unfamiliar with what medical foods are, how they differ from regular foods and drugs, and their specific applications in managing chronic diseases or conditions. This lack of awareness can lead to underutilization and skepticism, as medical foods often require medical supervision and adherence to strict usage guidelines. Additionally, inadequate education and marketing efforts contribute to a slow adoption rate.

Opportunity:

Personalized nutrition

The medical food market offers significant opportunities in personalized nutrition by tailoring dietary interventions to individual health needs. Personalized nutrition focuses on developing customized diets based on a person's genetics, microbiome, lifestyle, and health conditions. This approach can enhance the management of chronic diseases, improve patient outcomes, and cater to specific metabolic requirements. As healthcare increasingly shifts towards precision medicine, personalized medical foods can provide targeted nutritional solutions, reducing reliance on pharmaceuticals and optimizing overall health.

Threat:

Market competition

The medical foods market faces significant market competition threats from several angles. Pharmaceutical companies entering the space with advanced therapeutic nutrition products also heighten competition. Additionally, the cost and complexity of clinical trials required for efficacy claims create barriers for new entrants. Regulatory changes and evolving reimbursement policies can impact market dynamics, favoring established players who can quickly adapt. Innovation pressure to develop unique, targeted formulations adds another layer of competitive intensity.

Covid-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the medical food market in several ways. With increased awareness of health and wellness, there has been a surge in demand for products that support immune health and overall well-being. Furthermore, disruptions in the global supply chain have led to challenges in sourcing ingredients and manufacturing. However, advancements in e-commerce platforms and online retailing have helped mitigate these challenges to some extent, enabling consumers to access medical foods conveniently.

The Vitamins and Minerals segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The growth of the vitamins and minerals segment in the medical food market is primarily driven by increasing awareness of nutritional deficiencies and their impact on health. As people become more health-conscious, there's a growing demand for targeted nutritional solutions to address specific health conditions. Vitamins and minerals play crucial roles in supporting various bodily functions, making them essential components of medical foods designed to manage conditions like malnutrition, metabolic disorders, and chronic diseases. Moreover, advancements in research and development have led to the formulation of specialized products tailored to meet specific nutritional needs, further fueling segment growth.

The Chronic conditions segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The growth in the chronic conditions segment of the medical food market can be attributed to several factors. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and gastrointestinal ailments is driving demand for specialized nutrition tailored to manage these conditions effectively. Advancements in medical research have led to the development of innovative formulations specifically designed to address the nutritional needs of individuals with chronic illnesses. Additionally, rising awareness among both healthcare professionals and patients about the role of nutrition in managing chronic conditions is fuelling market expansion.

Region with largest share:

In recent years, North America has experienced significant growth in the medical food market. This expansion can be attributed to several factors, including increasing awareness about the importance of nutritional therapies in managing chronic diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer's, and metabolic disorders. Additionally, advancements in medical research and technology have led to the development of innovative medical food products tailored to address specific health conditions. Moreover, the aging population in North America has contributed to the rising demand for products that support healthy aging and manage age-related ailments.

Region with highest CAGR:

The Asia-Pacific region has witnessed significant growth in the medical food market due to several factors. Increasing awareness about health and nutrition, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and a growing aging population are driving the demand for specialized nutritional products. Additionally, advancements in healthcare infrastructure and rising disposable incomes are facilitating greater access to medical foods. Moreover, the region's diverse dietary habits and cultural preferences are fueling innovation in product development to cater to specific dietary needs.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Medical Foods market include Abbott Laboratories, Ajinomoto Cambrooke Inc, Alfasigma S.p.A., BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Cerecin Inc, Danone S.A., Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Mead Johnson, Meiji Holdings and Co Ltd, Metagenics Inc, Nestle S.A., Primus Pharmaceuticals Inc and Reckitt Benckiser Group plc.

Key Developments:

In May 2024, Danone has struck a deal to acquire Functional Formularies, a US whole foods tube-feeding business. The France-headquartered dairy giant has snapped up the Ohio-based company from private-equity business Swander Pace Capital for an undisclosed fee. The move has extended Danone's medical nutrition portfolio, through which it develops products for people with special medical needs, adding to its enteral tube-feeding ranges.

In January 2024, Abbott, a global leader in science-based nutrition, announced the launch of its new PROTALITY(TM) brand. The high-protein nutrition shake is the first product in this line to support the growing number of adults interested in pursuing weight loss while maintaining muscle mass and good nutrition.

Products Covered:

• Oral Rehydration Products
• Nutritionally Complete Formulas
• Nutritionally Incomplete Formulas

Route of Administrations Covered:

• Oral
• Enteral

Sales Channels Covered:

• Supermarkets & Hypermarkets
• Retail Pharmacies
• Drugs Stores
• Online Sales
• Institutional Sales (Hospital Pharmacies)

Nutritional Ingredients Covered:

• Proteins
• Vitamins and Minerals
• Isoflavones
• Omega-3
• Phytosterols

Forms Covered:

• Bars
• Gels
• Liquid
• Powder
• Tablets & Capsules
• Other Forms

Age Groups Covered:

• Adults
• Adolescent
• Weaning
• Infants

Applications Covered:

• Sleep Management
• Neuro-Degenerative Disorders
• Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)
• Diabetes (Diabetic Neuropathy)
• Cancer (Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Chronic Conditions
• Depression
• Inborn Errors of Metabolism
• Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy
• Neurological & Psychological Disorders
• Nutritional Deficiency
• Obesity and Hypertension
• Ophthalmology
• Pathogen Related Infections
• Urea Cycle Disorders
• Orphan Diseases
• Tyrosinemia Types I And II
• Propionic Acidemia
• Pain Management
• Organic Acidurias
• Methylmalonic Acidemia
• Isovaleric Acidemia
• Homocystinuria
• Gastrointestinal Disorders

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026, and 2030
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Free Customization Offerings:

All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:

• Company Profiling
  • Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
  • SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
  • Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
  • Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances