Functional foods are becoming an increasingly prominent segment of the European food industry. According to OECD (2025), the functional food market is expanding at an annual rate of 7–9%, driven by demand for products with proven health benefits: probiotics, specialised proteins, fermented beverages, and foods fortified with vitamins and minerals.

EFSA sets strict criteria for health claims, requiring companies to substantiate physiological effects through clinical studies and documented evidence. This approach enhances consumer trust but also increases development costs for processors.

FAO notes that demographic changes and urban lifestyles are fuelling demand for products targeting specific benefits such as immunity, digestion, energy, and reduced oxidative stress.

In Romania, the functional food market is growing steadily, with INS data (2025) showing a 14% increase in the segment of probiotics and fermented beverages.

Functional nutrition is becoming a strategic pillar of the European food industry—where innovation, regulation and public health converge.

(Photo: Freepik)