Functional foods market as strong as ever

Opportunities for food manufacturers and ingredients firms are set to burgeon in the UK functional food marketplace with new Mintel research forecasting that the £835 million market will double in the next five years to £1.7 billion. While heart disease and breast cancer top the list of consumer health concerns, confidence in health claims is at the root of growth and market gains. On-the-go functional drinks is also a category to watch.