Key opportunities in the medical foods market include the demand for disease-specific nutrition driven by rising chronic diseases and precision nutrition recognition. The shift towards convenient soft-gel capsules, regulatory advancements in Asia-Pacific, and innovations in compliance and personalized nutrition also fuel growth prospects.
Dublin, Jan. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The “Medical Foods – Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)” has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.
The global medical foods market is projected to grow from USD 26.32 million in 2025 to USD 27.67 million in 2026, reaching USD 35.52 million by 2031, with a CAGR of 5.12% over 2026-2031. This growth is driven by increasing clinical evidence of disease-specific nutrition efficacy, an aging population, and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases. Although powder formats currently dominate, the demand for convenient soft-gel capsules is rising. North America leads the market due to structured reimbursement systems, but regulatory advancements make Asia-Pacific the fastest-growing region.
Global Medical Foods Market Trends and Insights
Chronic conditions like diabetes, Alzheimer’s, phenylketonuria, and cancer cachexia continue to fuel the need for specialized nutrition. Significant studies, such as Nestle Health Science’s COGNIKET-MCI, support the potential of medical foods in improving health outcomes, particularly in areas lacking adequate dietary solutions. Innovations like specialist formulas for phenylketonuria and cachexia underscore ongoing advancements that integrate nutrition more deeply into healthcare cost-effectiveness strategies.
Malnutrition in senior populations is another key market driver, with nearly half of nursing home residents affected. Technologies like 3D food printing and early enteral feeding protocols address this issue, and machine learning aids in early malnutrition risk detection, optimizing long-term care strategies.
Despite potential, awareness remains low among both patients and physicians due to limited nutritional education in medical training. Ongoing initiatives like Vitaflo’s training programs aim to enhance knowledge transfer, while AI-driven solutions promise improved point-of-care support as they gain traction in clinical settings.
Segment Analysis
In 2025, powders held a 55.10% market share due to their clinical versatility in dosing and shelf life stability. However, capsules are set to grow at a 6.45% CAGR through 2031, with patient preference trends favoring this discrete, taste-neutral option. Innovations focus on ensuring compliance, such as DSM-firmenich’s granular blends and Vitaflo’s precise dosing packets.
Geographical Insights
Dominating the market in 2025 with a 36.80% share, North America’s strong R&D landscape and reimbursement pathways foster growth. Yet, regulatory challenges remain, such as variations in Medicare and Medicaid support. Asia-Pacific’s rapid growth at 8.15% CAGR highlights opportunities from regulatory reforms and manufacturing advancements. Europe’s robust research capabilities and supportive reimbursement policies maintain its critical role in global market development.
Companies Covered in This Report
- Abbott Laboratories
- Nestle Health Science
- Danone
- Fresenius
- Ajinomoto Cambrooke
- Targeted Medical Pharma
- Primus Pharmaceuticals
- Mead Johnson Nutrition
- FrieslandCampina
- Morinaga Milk Industry
- B. Braun
- Reckitt/Mead Johnson
- Nutricia North America
- Galen Medical Nutrition
- Medtrition
- NutraSource Diagnostics
- Meiji Holding
- Cambrooke Therapeutics
- Baxter
For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2wgtfs
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