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Omega-3: Global Product Trends and Opportunities

16 Sep 2011 • by Natalie Aster

Omega-3 fatty acids are some of the most important nutrients to human health. The number of consumers globally who are aware of omega-3 fatty acids and their role in health is high, and the number of people who are specifically consuming omega-3 for health has increased dramatically over the past few years. Consumer demand for omega-3 products will continue to grow briskly over the 2011-2015 period, and will influence the activities of manufacturers and marketers worldwide in supplying omega-3 products across various categories and segments of consumer packaged goods (CPGs), including private label products.

In the report “Omega-3: Global Product Trends and Opportunities”, Packaged Facts analyzes the future of the global omega-3 market, and pinpoints opportunities in a $13 billion industry that is far from reaching its saturation point. The link between “dietary supplements” (the traditional method for boosting omega-3 intake) and consumer diets and grocery store food products is becoming ever stronger. Moreover, consumers increasingly regard the health and beauty products they use as extensions of the foods they eat and the nutritional supplements they take. What has emerged, therefore, is a continuum of nutrient-positioned products extending from whole foods (including natural and organic products) and fortified/functional foods through to nutritional supplements and personal care products. In the case of pet owners, this continuum also extends to pet foods (which are inherently functional), treats, supplements, and grooming products—essentially replicating the range of human products available.

 Moreover, a significant amount of nutrient-based new product development is driven by the concept of “superfoods.” Although the concept of foods with pharmaceutical-grade benefits flies in the face of a strong medical and regulatory community distinction between food and drugs, “superfoods” has emerged as a powerful marketing concept—in part because it builds on age-old conventional wisdom and nutritional adages such as “an apple a day helps keep the doctor away.” Omega-3’s widely accepted status as a “superfood,” in combination with a globally expanding range of nutrient-based new product development across CPG markets, means that the market for omega-3 products will remain lively and opportunity-rich for years to come.

Report Details:

Omega-3: Global Product Trends and Opportunities

Published: September 2011
Pages: 190
Price: US$ 3,500.00

Report Sample Abstract

Omega-3 Oils for Supplements

Most omega-3 oils consumed by the U.S. market are used in dietary supplements. Supplements—especially softgels—have for many years been the most popular delivery form for omega-3 oils. For many, a softgel that provides a known dose of omega-3s—typically XXX to XXX mg— offers both convenience and peace of mind. Softgels are available with an enteric coating to minimize the reflux problems associated with fish oils. It is estimated that supplements account for XX% of the U.S. omega-3 ingredients market by volume.

As well as being the most popular vehicle for supplementation, softgels provide the best oxidation protection for omega-3 concentrates. Diane Hnat, senior technical marketing manager at DSM Nutritional Products, states that although less than XX% of the adult population regularly consumes fish oil supplements, it is the most common delivery system for the consumption of EPA and DHA. “Actually, this number has doubled over the past five years,” she said. “In North America, there is not an extensive selection of EPA- and DHAfortified foods and beverages. And the level of fortification can be as low as 8 mg per serving or as high as XXX mg per serving, due to lack of clarity by FDA about what is relevant to consumers’ health on a label.”

Omega-3 supplements usually contain fish oil extracted from the body of the fish, while concentrated fish oil capsules usually contain purified EPA and DHA in a chemically different form (ethyl esters) from fish body oils. Capsules of omega-3 ethyl esters may have up to XX% EPA and DHA, whereas fish body oil capsules usually have about XX%.

More information can be found in the report “Omega-3: Global Product Trends and Opportunities” by Packaged Facts.

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