Media coverage boosts enzyme supplement market

Florida-based enzyme manufacturing company Enzymedica claims that the enzyme industry is getting a much needed boost by the increase of features based around the health benefits of the supplements in leading health magazines. "The message that raw plant foods provide substantial benefits to the digestive system, and thereby enhance overall wellbeing, is certainly something we encourage"​ said Tom Bohager, president of Enzymedica. Indeed, rising consumer awareness of the Enzyme market, generated by more focused media coverage, has spurred the company's sales growth by 35 per cent annually over the past three years. The privately-owned company declined to disclose the specific figures. Features on issues such as individuals suffering from indigestion, gluten sensitivity and lactose intolerance, the company says that enzyme supplements have expanded to address a variety of common but difficult-to-treat ailments. In turn this has spurred the enzyme-rich, raw food movement. The global enzyme market is burgeoning with world demand expected to rise 6.5 per cent annually to nearly $5.1 billion in 2009, according to market analyst Freedonia. But supplements are not the leading use of enzymes in the food industry. Currently bakery enzymes make up about a third of the overall food enzyme market, and this sector is expected to make the strongest gains in the sector over the next few years, according to market analyst group Frost & Sullivan. The future of the European food enzymes market also looks positive. This market is expected to increase steadily at about 3.5 per cent, with revenues hitting about €240 million by 2011 according to Frost & Sullivan.