Mega-trends impact heart health market

Fresh food is a tasty option and has a combination of useful minerals and molecules that help prevent cardiac ailments. As evidence supporting healthy food increases, demand for organic and natural foods has risen.

This rising demand has triggered innovation. Traditional snack product giants are developing natural and organic options of their most popular, conventional brands. Pepsi-owned Frito Lay even started selling its potato chip brand, Ruffles, under the name of “Organic Ruffles” in a limited number of Costco retail stores in the United States.

Fast food chains such as McDonald’s, Chipotle Mexican Grill and others have started offering limited organic products in regions where demand for organic food is high. For instance, organic milk and juices are being offered in McDonald’s restaurants in Germany and other parts of Europe.

Major food giants including Pepsi, Coca-Cola, General Mills, Nestlé, Conagra, Cargill and many others have either directly, or through acquisition of niche organic product businesses, entered this healthy food market segment.

The trend toward nutraceutical solutions and fresh organic food will drive the market for heart health solutions market in times to come. Industry is aware of this emerging trend and is gearing up. Preventive health care is rapidly becoming the buzzword. Heart health products will be an important focus area of growth. Production innovation and acquisitions will rise, making this is an interesting space to watch.

This is an excerpt from the article, “Impact of Industry ‘Mega-Trends’ on Heart Health Market.” To continue reading, download INSIDER’s Heart Health Digital Magazine.

Sudhir Ahluwalia is a business consultant. He has been management consulting head of Tata Consultancy Services, an IT outsourcing company in Asia, business advisor to multiple companies, columnist and author of the book "Holy Herbs." Ahluwalia was also a member of the Indian Forest Service.