Bone and joint health claims featured on less than 1% of global food and drinks launches in 2012, with bone health by far the more popular, used on 80% of the total, compared with 25% for joint health.

Calcium and phosphorus are vital to maintain healthy teeth and bones. Innophos’ VersaCAL Clear provides beverage manufacturers with an effective nutrient combination in a free-flowing, odorless blend that contains 15% elemental calcium and 24% phosphorus.

Jungbunzlauer is focusing on the need in the marketplace for calcium supplementation.

An October 2011 report from the Hudson Institute entitled “Better-For-You Foods--It’s Just Good Business” found food and beverage companies with a high percentage of sales in the better-for-you (BFY) category also do better financially.

As marketers of conventional foods, functional foods and dietary supplements pore over data looking for new product opportunities that answer consumer needs, foods and beverages that address health issues, often specific health conditions, come to the forefront. 

Manufacturers weigh in on upcoming ingredient and formulations trends, from dietary fiber to green tea extracts, low-fat to satiety-enhancing foods.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (Washington) reports that, “Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans. In the U.S. today, 10 million individuals (8 million women, 2 million men) are estimated to already have the disease.”

An increase of only 1 mg of soy isoflavones per day has been associated with a yearly increase in bone mineral concentration of .018-.028%, according to a study of Chinese postmenopausal women.