Medical Foods Market Analysis

Global Medical Foods Market Overview

The Medical Foods Market size was valued at USD 22.62 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 24.04 Billion in 2024 to USD 35.3 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.92% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, growing nutritional deficiency among people, and raising awareness about prebiotics and probiotic products are driving the market growth.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

July 2023: An integrated health and wellness company, Life is happy to disclose the launch of its revolutionary virtual health optimization plans and programs for its first flagship location, slated to open in the summer of 2024. Love.Life offers a one-stop immersive health experience by blending evolved medical care, nourishing food, and cutting-edge wellness therapies. The organization's new optimization programs offer outcome-driven, outcome-driven, dedicated, and personalized patient-centric medical care that deals with all the parameters of an individual's health. With authorized physicians practicing telehealth across the nation, Love.Life strengthens people so that they can proactively enhance their health by concentrating on the core sources of chronic diseases and offering comprehensive solutions. John Mackey, the CEO and co-creator, said that Love. Life focuses on transforming the lives of millions of people. 

The established medical system is profoundly flawed, emphasizing managing diseases and treating symptoms rather than inhibiting and finding the root cause. Research showcases that 80% of chronic diseases can be stopped and reversed through diet and lifestyle changes, which are the focus of Love.Life's philosophy is hardly included in standard treatment strategies. Love.Life's medically examined virtual programs far surpass the restrictions of standard bloodwork testing, minor care models, and transactional doctor-patient relationships of the traditional healthcare system. With thorough testing and health assessments, individuals work in collaboration with doctors to find their true baseline health. This in-depth information forms the basis of a customized, actionable plan that deals with both health risks and opportunities. Love.Life's virtual optimization programs provide supportive surroundings, access to health and wellness coaching, and educational resources to allow the implementation, measurement, and sustainability of healthy habits.

Medical Foods Market Trends

• The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases boosts the market growth

Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, neurological, urological, and infectious diseases are increasing globally. Heart disorders are becoming more common than other chronic diseases due to a lack of physical activity, being overweight, poor nutrition, or having a family history. People over the age of 60 are at a higher risk of developing diseases such as cardiovascular and neurological issues. In addition, some people with these conditions or diseases must undergo surgery. Therefore, an increase in cardiovascular and neurological issues is expected to boost the demand for medical foods.

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic illnesses, and its incidence is steadily increasing. For instance, according to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics released in 2019, diabetes is responsible for roughly 1.5 million deaths and is the ninth top cause of death. Moreover, rising interest in medical foods to manage and regulate diabetic neuropathy and diabetes is anticipated to drive market development. Furthermore, medicinal foods are meant for specialized dietary management with unique nutrient needs to address specific illnesses, which will drive the market

The world has made some progress toward achieving its nutritional objectives. Severe starvation still remains, and this development is simply too sluggish.

Furthermore, few nations such as Somalia, Central African Republic, and Yemen among others are on track to achieve any of the maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) targets. According to the global nutrition report 2021, only five nations such as Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ghana on track to lower the prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age, with one in three (29.9%) of these women, particularly those who are pregnant, being affected. Also, as per the same report, an estimated 14.6% of infants worldwide have low birth weight. Thus, increasing rates of malnutrition in infants and young children and the rising prevalence of coexisting stunting, wasting, and overweight in children under 5 years of age across the globe will contribute to the growth of the market.

Figure 1: (Burden of malnutrition in Infants and Young)

Prevalence of stunting, wasting, and overweight in children under 5 years of age

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Medical Foods Market Segment Insights:

Medical Foods Nutritional Ingredients Insights

The Medical Foods Market segmentation, based on nutritional ingredients, includes vitamins and minerals, proteins, omega-3, isoflavones, phytosterols, and others. The proteins segment held the majority share in 2022 in the Medical Foods Market revenue. This is due to rising public awareness of children’s nutrition, rising protein functionalities, and awareness about protein-rich diets. Moreover, proteins are required for the body's proper functioning. They serve as the foundation for body structures like skin and hair, as well as other substances like enzymes, cytokines, and antibodies.

January 2023: Danone SA (France), has launched Fortimel PlantBased Energy, it is first plant-based, ready-to-drink nutritional supplement formula ready-to-drink to comply with the needs of those who are undernourished or at risk of becoming undernourished as a result of illness.

Medical Foods Route of Administration Insights

The Medical Foods Market segmentation, based on the route of administration, includes oral and enteral. The oral segment held the majority share in 2022 in the Medical Foods Market revenue. This is due to an increase in the production of oral products in the form of pills, powder, and pre-thickened products. For instance, Modulen, a medical food item offered by Nestle (Switzerland) is helpful in restoring the nutritional requirements in Crohn's disease patients.

Medical Foods Form Insights

The Medical Foods Market segmentation, based on Form, includes pills, powder, and others. The powder segment held the majority share in 2022 in the Medical Foods Market revenue. This is due to availability in the market and the increasing preference and ease of consumption of pediatric and geriatric patients suffering from various chronic diseases. Additionally, the growing advantages of consuming liquid-formulated foods to maintain adequate hydration and electrolyte balance support the segment's expansion.

Medical Foods Application Insights

The Medical Foods Market segmentation is based on an application that includes, chronic kidney disease, nutritional deficiency, neurological & psychological disorders, metabolic disorders, pain management, gastrointestinal disorders, orphan diseases, and others. The nutritional deficiency segment has dominated the market in 2022 and the neurological & psychological disorders segment is projected to be the fastest-growing during the forecast period, 2022–2030. This is attributed to the increasing prevalence of acute and chronic disorders, the need for more research and development activities, and the rising demand for vitamin D and vitamin B complex due to their health benefits. Furthermore, neurological & psychological disorders cover a wide range of illnesses and conditions, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, substance abuse disorders, and others.

Figure 2: MEDICAL FOODS MARKET, BY APPLICATION, 2023 & 2032 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Medical Foods Distribution Channel Insights

The Medical Foods Market segmentation is based on a distribution channel that includes e-commerce, hospital pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, and Others. The hospital pharmacies segment has dominated the market in 2022 and the e-commerce segment is projected to be the fastest-growing during the forecast period, 2022–2030. This is due to the growing number of patient visits to hospitals and the increasing preference among patients to consult a doctor in the hospitals for their chronic diseases. In addition, e-commerce distribution is expected to be the most profitable channel owing to the rising e-commerce platforms, such as Amazon, Walmart, and online pharmacies are assisting products in expanding globally through simple buy, sell, and quick delivery strategies. Furthermore, the expansion of both public and private healthcare facilities as well as an increase in the number of people with chronic diseases worldwide will support the segment's expansion.

August 2020: Nestlé (Switzerland) acquired a range of products from IM HealthScience, (US) including its brands IBgard, FDgard, Fiber Choice, and REMfresh. With this acquisition, The IMH products offer a variety of sleep management techniques as well as tried-and-true methods for using diet to treat particular intestinal issues.

Medical Foods Regional Insights

By Region, the study segments the market into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The North American medical foods market accounted for the largest market share in 2022. This is due to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and others, the rise in the adoption of medical foods in the region, and the rising strategic partnership and increasing investment by major players in the region. For instance, in 2020, as per the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health forecasted an estimated 1,806,590 new cases of cancer to be diagnosed in the US, with about 606,520 deaths reported as a result of the disease. Moreover, the rising prevalence of cancer, diabetes, and other chronic disorders demands personalized nutrition for the management of diseases. In addition, the well-established healthcare infrastructure and rising demand for personalized nutrition also contribute to the growth of the market.

Further, the major countries studied are the U.S., Canada, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 3: MEDICAL FOODS MARKET BY REGION 2023 & 2032

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Europe medical foods market accounts for the second-largest market share due to the increasing awareness of the benefits of medical foods, the growing development of new formulations, such as plant-based proteins & probiotics, and the rising aging population. further, the Germany medical foods market was attributed to holding the largest market share, and the France medical foods market is expected to fastest-growing market in the European region.

The Asia-Pacific medical foods market is expected to grow at a significant share from 2023 to 2030. This is due to the improving healthcare infrastructure, rising geriatric population & diseases associated with old age, and growing health awareness among the population in the Asia-Pacific region. Moreover, China medical foods market is expected to hold the largest market share, and India medical foods market is expected fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

For instance, the Indian government’s initiative 'National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke', aims to promote healthy lifestyles and provide affordable healthcare for people with chronic diseases. Hence, the rising government initiatives and growing aging population factors are likely to have considerable growth for the medical foods market.

The Rest of the World is segmented into the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The medical foods market in the above-mentioned regions is likely to witness growth due to improving healthcare facilities, the growing availability of medical food products, and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders in these regions. Moreover, an increase in sedentary lifestyles, urbanization, and changes in dietary habits has led to a growing demand for medical foods to manage chronic diseases and improve overall health is expected to propel the medical foods market growth in the region.

Medical Foods Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

The Medical Foods Market is characterized by the presence of many global, regional, and local vendors catering to the demand created by research scientists and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies operating in the industry. The market comprises tier-1, tier-2, and local players. The tier-1 and tier-2 players have reach across the globe with diverse product portfolios. Companies such as Nestlé (Switzerland), Danone SA (France), Abbott (US), and Fresenius Kabi AG (Germany) dominate the Medical Foods Market due to product differentiation, financial stability, strategic developments, and diversified regional presence. The players are focused on investing in research and development. Furthermore, they adopt strategic growth initiatives, such as expansion, product launches, joint ventures, and partnerships, to strengthen their market position and capture a large customer base.

One of the primary business strategies adopted by manufacturers in the global medical foods industry to benefit clients and expand the medical foods market sector is to manufacture locally to reduce operating costs.

Nestlé (Switzerland) produces and sells food products and beverages. It sells infant foods, bottled water, cereals, chocolates, candy, coffee, kitchenware, chilled and frozen foods, dairy, ice cream, and accessories for animals. The business also offers direct-to-consumer meal delivery services, medical foods, sausages, and nutritional products. Furthermore, the company operates in North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East. For instance, in January 2023, Nestlé (India) launched ThickenUp Clear, a food and beverage thickener to treat patients with swallowing difficulties, especially in oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Also, Abbott (US) is a leading healthcare company that is engaged in the development, discovers, manufactures, and sells healthcare products across the globe. The company offers products under the segments of vascular products, established pharmaceutical products, nutritional products, and diagnostic products. Furthermore, it has two non-reportable segments, namely, medical optics and diabetes care. Moreover, Abbott distributes its products in more than 160 countries.

Key Companies in the Medical Foods Market include

• Danone SA (France)


• Abbott (US)


• Fresenius Kabi AG (Germany)


• TARGETED MEDICAL PHARMA INC (US)


• Metagenics LLC (US)


• Nestlé (Switzerland)


• Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC (UK)


• Medtrition, Inc (US)


• Primus Pharmaceuticals, inc (US)


• Alfasigma USA, Inc (US)

Medical Foods Industry Developments

July 2022: Nestlé (Switzerland) introduced the first Foods for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP) Oral Impact Su Yi Su for patients with Tumor-related conditions.

January 2020: Nestlé (Switzerland) acquired Zenpep (US) to expand its medical nutrition business and complement its portfolio of therapeutic products.

October 2019: Fresenius Kabi AG (Germany) has expanded of its plant in Aquiraz, Brazil to increase the facility’s capacity for parenteral nutrition production by around 30 percent.

December 2022: Abbott (US) announced its new factory for making specialty and nutritional powder products in Bowling Green, Ohio. This plant will enhance the availability of these crucial formulations in the US, some of which are the only source of nutrition for those with severe food allergies and other nutritional and metabolic issues.

Medical Foods Market Segmentation

Medical Foods Nutritional Ingredients Outlook

• Vitamins and Minerals


• Proteins


• Omega-3


• Isoflavones


• Phytosterols


• Others

Medical Foods Route of Administration Outlook

• Oral


• Enteral

Medical Foods Form Outlook

• Pills


• Powder


• Others

Medical Foods Application Outlook

• Chronic Kidney Disease


• Nutritional Deficiency


• Neurological & Psychological Disorders


• Metabolic Disorders


• Pain Management


• Gastrointestinal Disorders


• Orphan diseases


• Others

Medical Foods Distribution Channel Outlook

• E-commerce


• Hospital Pharmacies


• Retail Pharmacies


• Others

Medical Foods Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America