11.01.09
Once relegated primarily to the domain of yogurt and high-fiber fare, the market for food and beverage products fortified with probiotics and prebiotics has taken off as digestive health emerged as one of the hottest topics in the food and beverage arena, according to a report from Packaged Facts entitled, “Boosting Immunity Through Digestion: The Relation Among Probiotics, Prebiotics and Digestive Enzymes.” The global retail market for probiotic/prebiotic foods and beverages was $15 billion in 2008, a 13% increase over 2007. Driving future growth are two factors: 1) innovations in probiotic and prebiotic formulations that allow an increasing number of products to be enhanced with these ingredients and 2) increasing consumer awareness of the relationship between digestive health and immunity and with overall wellness. Packaged Facts projects the market will exceed $22 billion in 2013, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12% between 2004 and 2013. For further information: www.packagedfacts.com