Functional foods have been the topic of considerable interest in the food and nutrition industry for years. India's nutrition industry is generating US$6.8 billion in annual revenue, and that number is expected to nearly double in the next five years. New evidence concerning the potential benefits and challenges associated with functional foods is constantly emerging in both the scientific literature and the popular media. The backward and forward linkages potentially create opportunities for employment and additional income for the population from production and supply chain activities and may increase demands for private laboratory services, training, and market. Key concerns that may require public support include: underdeveloped infrastructure, lack of resources for research and gap between academic research and the industry and the high costs in meeting food safety regulations. In this article, current functional food trend from an Indian perspective and its potential contribution to international markets is briefly discussed.
Functional foods, India, Regulations, Market, Health benefits
