Everything you need to know to innovate in the food and beverage immunity market

• Market insights show that immunity is now a top priority for many consumers worldwide, with individuals looking to take a more preventative approach to their health and support their immune health against future threats.
• As awareness around immunity grows, so too does knowledge about the right nutrition and solutions that can support immune health. Globally, 34% of consumers already take action to support their immunity by addressing their diet or nutrition and 60% consume foods and drinks, with added nutrients.¹ This is creating significant opportunities for food and beverage brands looking to expand their portfolio to include solutions targeted towards immunity.  
• DSM’s new guide reveals the latest nutritional science and consumer insights in the immunity field, and how we, as an end-to-end partner, can support food and beverage manufacturers in developing purpose-led products with science-backed ingredients, unique premix capabilities and formulation and applications expertise.

Discover everything you need to know to create purpose-led food and beverage solutions that support immune health. Download DSM’s new guide to learn more.

Time to expand your F&B portfolio to support immunity?

Outbreaks such as the seasonal influenza and novel Coronavirus are heightening consumer awareness of the importance of optimal immunity – where good nutrition can play a key role, especially when combined in a holistic solution. In addition, consumers are taking a more mindful approach to their diets, increasingly seeking natural and nutritious foods and products that will benefit their overall health and wellness. 

DSM’s Global Health Concerns 2021 survey, which included almost 19,000 people across 24 countries, found that 60% of consumers are currently worried about their immune health and were most concerned about resistance against epidemic diseases when asked about immunity.1 In addition, to fully understand consumers’ perceptions and attitudes towards immune health and nutrition since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, DSM conducted a worldwide survey in September 2020, interviewing 12,000 people across 24 countries. The report revealed 55% of individuals agree that nutritional intake maintains good immune health.² 

The rising awareness of immunity and understanding of the importance of nutrition is increasing demand for food and beverage solutions that can help to support sustainable, long-term immune health. DSM’s 2021 consumer survey found that individuals are increasingly choosing food product with added nutrients to help optimize their immune systems.² It reported that 45% of consumers choose yogurts with added nutrients for example, whereas 40% consume fortified cereals and 34% opt for fortified drinks. The report also discovered that immunity+ products, i.e. solutions that offer benefits for immune health and beyond, are gaining popularity as they can help to address concerns arising from disease and infection, like lack of energy and mental health. This is creating significant opportunities for innovation in the food and beverage market with faster-acting solutions that can help to prevent and fight infection.

Nutrition and immunity go hand in hand, consumers know  

Nutrients such as vitamins A, C and D, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals and particular strains of probiotics are especially important for immune health.³ These nutrients work in orchestration and together help to support the immune system in several ways, including aiding growth and function of immune cells, acting as antioxidants to protect healthy cells, supporting antibody production and helping to resolve inflammation. DSM’s immunity survey found that consumers are increasingly making the link between nutrients and immune health benefits. The ingredients most associated with immunity are vitamin C and D. However, other nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A, are gaining more recognition and starting to make waves in the immunity market.

How to create insight-led nutritional solutions, together

DSM is a leader in food and beverage innovation, committed to developing nutritional products and solutions that address health concerns and needs that are on top of consumers’ minds, like immunity. When food and beverage manufacturers partner with DSM, they get access to our broad portfolio of science-backed, high-quality nutritional ingredients that support the development of healthy food and beverage products. However, we know that creating purpose-led food and beverage solutions takes more than just ingredients. It takes a partner that is inspired by consumers to continuously innovate to meet their needs.

Your end-to-end partner for innovation, today  

At DSM, we harness our continuous curiosity and innovation expertise to deliver proven nutritional solutions that lead to better, healthier lives. As an end-to-end partner, we bring benefits to our customers beyond ingredients, by offering customized solutions and expert services at every stage of a product’s development.

Customized solutions 

Our customized solutions are designed to help bring food and beverage products to market faster, more efficiently and with enduring success. We offer global blending capabilities that allow for the creation of fully customizable blends of functional ingredients in one single, homogenous premix. With 15 state-of-the art facilities strategically placed around the world, we are ready to deliver your premix to meet your needs anywhere in the world, meeting specific regional needs. As formulation experts, we work with food and beverage manufacturers to design innovative premixes that target specific health conditions, lifestyles, consumer groups or age demographics without compromising a finished product’s taste, texture, or appearance. We also deliver natural and nature-based colors to the food and beverage industry through our coloration solutions, which are tailor-made to our partners needs and uniquely positioned to address common challenges, like supply, cost, quality, application, and regulatory requirements.

Expert services

Through our broad range of expert services, we are committed to adding value from concept to consumption. These services bring expertise in applications and formulations, science, innovation, regulations, and markets, so that our partners can successfully address the needs and format preferences of individuals worldwide. Through our applications and technical services for instance, our team of scientists help food and beverage manufacturers to develop formulas and recommend unique nutrients that target specific health concerns, like immunity. This ensures that products resonate with the target audience, while addressing key issues, such as shelf life, heat and light.