company news about Why has gummy candy become the fastest-growing health product formulation?

Soft candy has become an incremental form of non pill supplements. What is the development trend of soft candy supplements in the future, and which scenarios will become growth engines?



The earliest record of pills can be traced back to Egypt in 1500 BC. Over the course of nearly 3600 years of development, pills have remained the primary form of supplements on the market. However, according to a report by NBJ, the market size of non pill form supplements surpassed that of pill form supplements in 2019, breaking the long-standing leading position of pill supplements in the market.

Non pill supplements mainly include chewable tablets, effervescent tablets, gummies, liquids, soft capsules, tablets, powders, and quick solvents, among which gummies are the star dosage form in non pill supplements. According to SPINS data, in 2021, gummies achieved a high-speed growth of 74.9% and a market share of 21.3%, becoming the largest type of non pill supplement.

01.The origin of gummies and gummy supplements
As a beloved candy, gummies have a long history. The earliest molded gummies based on gelatin can be traced back to 1864, when an Austrian candy maker working at Fryers created a gummy candy shaped like a baby, hence the name "Unclaimed Babies".

An article in the Burnley Express referred to it as the candy with the "highest demand". In 1918, Bassets Company began mass producing gummies and named them "Peace Babies". They were made from sugar, glucose syrup, water, beef gelatin, corn starch, citric acid, seasonings, pigments (anthocyanins, curcumin, chili powder extract), plant concentrates (safflower, spirulina), and other ingredients.

In 1920, Hans Riegel, a German, founded the company Haribo, which popularized fruit flavored gummies with gelatin as the main ingredient and became the main producer of gummy bears, which became popular under the names Gummib ä r or Gummib ä rchen. A survey conducted by Marks and Spencer in 2009 with 4000 participants showed that gummies were the sixth favorite dessert among British people.

However, the emergence of gummy supplements was relatively late, and it was not until the late 1990s and early 21st century that the supplement industry began to experiment in the gummy field. The driving principle behind it is also very simple: a spoonful of sugar can make the medication easier to swallow.

In 1968, Bayer in Germany launched a multivitamin chewable tablet supplement, which although improved compared to traditional tablets, still had a poor taste. However, it was not until 1997 that Hero Nutrients first introduced vitamin gummy supplements for children, which became an alternative to traditional vitamins. In terms of taste, it is almost identical to the candy it imitates, just like tasting sour candy.

It is worth mentioning that the unique consumption experience of gummies has successfully transitioned from the field of children's supplements to the field of adult nutrition. In 2012, adult vitamin gummies were first launched, injecting new momentum into the development of this field, and gummy supplements became increasingly popular. Nowadays, more adults prefer to consume gummy supplements than children. According to GlobeNewswire data, approximately 67% of adults aged 18 to 34 prefer gummies.

02. "Demand+Consumption": The gummy supplement market is booming

According to Marketsandmarkets, the global gummy supplement market is expected to grow from $24.6 billion in 2023 to $48.5 billion in 2028, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 14.5% during the forecast period. According to Coherent Market Insights data, in 2020, North America dominated the global gummy supplement market with a share of 38.5%, followed by the Asia Pacific region and Europe.

The main types of gummies include vitamin gummies, Omega-3 fatty acid gummies, probiotic/prebiotic gummies, collagen gummies, CBD gummies, etc. Among them, vitamin gummies are one of the highest market share types in North America, and the United States is one of the main markets for gummy supplements in North America. According to IBISWorld data, in 2018, American consumers spent over $32 billion on nutritional supplements, of which nearly $12 billion was spent on vitamins and minerals. According to the Journal of Nutritional Business, 12% of the $12 billion expenditure was spent on purchasing vitamin gummies.

From the perspective of consumer groups, the main consumer group for gummy supplements at present is the young Z generation. According to data from Innova Market Insights, consumers aged 18 to 25 prefer gummy supplements over traditional ones. In addition, according to NBJ data, 47% of people are willing to choose gummies when they first take nutritional supplements. It is worth mentioning that gummies with intestinal support are becoming a focus of consumer attention. According to SPINS data, both probiotics and prebiotic gummies achieved an 18.7% growth in 2021.

03. Innovative Trends in Soft Candy Supplements

1) Starch free molding technology

Soft candy production includes formulation, mixing, cooking, pouring, drying, coating, and packaging. The traditional starch based process is used for pouring and drying gummies, with starch serving as a mold to shape the hot glue into the desired shape. In addition, starch can absorb moisture during the cooling process, promote crystallization, and can be reused for the next batch of jelly or gummies.

However, there are several shortcomings in the starch based production process:
Long production cycle
Formula limitations, high requirements for heat sensitive functional ingredients
The repeated use of starch may lead to cross contamination between batches

Therefore, for the production of gummy supplements containing functional ingredients, starch free molding technology is the preferred choice. In addition to addressing pollution issues, it also omits starch preparation and gummy drying steps, simplifying the demolding process. More importantly, the raw materials can be mixed and poured at lower temperatures, making them friendly to heat sensitive functional components while perfectly maintaining the shape of the gummy candy.

Rousselot Simogel allows the gel solution to be poured directly into the silica gel or metal mold for the production of starch free soft candy supplements. The whole process is less than 20 minutes, clean and sanitary, and the mold is easy to clean, which helps to optimize equipment efficiency and output. In 2023, Rousselot launched a new form of supplement called Gummy caps with the help of Simogel, designed specifically for carrying nutrients and medicinal ingredients. The fudge cap combines the advantages of capsule, soft gel and fudge. It tastes soft and delicious. The center can be filled with liquid or paste, which is multifunctional. In addition, it can provide highly accurate dosage and is suitable for a wide range of active ingredients.


2) Pectin vs Gelatin: Which is More Popular?

The texture of gummies is influenced by the material, for example, gelatin gummies usually have chewiness and elasticity, pectin gummies are soft and resilient, and carrageenan gummies can have two textures: soft/soft or hard/brittle. And locust bean gum gummies are usually relatively hard. In contrast, starch based gummies are more sticky and tend to stick to teeth when chewed. A preference test conducted by Cargill on 129 consumers showed that pectin based gummies scored the highest in overall liking, followed by gelatin, carrageenan, and finally starch based gummies.

The main difference between gelatin and pectin lies in their raw material sources. Gelatin comes from collagen in animal bodies, while pectin comes from the peel of citrus fruits. Although the best-selling gummies on the market are still made from gelatin, pectin helps promote flavor release and has the potential to optimize production costs, making it a huge market. To meet the growing demand for pectin, Cargill established a new pectin production plant in Brazil in 2021.

Due to the long molecular chain and large space occupied by gelatin, it is difficult for it to effectively bind vitamins and minerals. Initially, gummies could only contain a specific type of vitamin. In 2009, companies began using pectin instead of gelatin as a raw material for vitamin gummy supplements. Compared to gelatin, pectin has a more compact molecular structure, occupies less space, and can accommodate more functional ingredients in each type of gummy candy.



（Chemical structure of gelatin）

(Chemical structure of pectin)

In addition, another advantage of using pectin to prepare gummy supplements is that pectin can promote flavor release more effectively than gelatin, and the taste of pectin is better than other gelling agents. And pectin can have a plant-based declaration, which can be favored by vegetarians, while also meeting the market demand for consumers to avoid animal products, such as in the Middle East.

The apple cider vinegar gummies launched by ORPHIC NUTRITION use pectin as the gum base, contain a large amount of dietary fiber, are beneficial for digestion, and have high thermal stability. Each serving (2 gummies) contains 1000 milligrams of apple cider vinegar, which supports digestion and weight regulation.

3) Expansion of multifunctional ingredients

Probiotic vitamins/minerals have always been the main type of gummy supplement, but in recent years, gummy supplements rich in probiotics have received great attention. The health benefits of probiotics in enhancing immunity, promoting digestion, and other aspects are widely known. Garden of Life apple cider vinegar gummies, added with 2 billion CFU of Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtilis DE111, each serving contains 700 milligrams of apple cider vinegar and 12 micrograms of B12, which helps with immunity and digestion.

Although CBD is subject to policy restrictions and the market is constantly declining, innovative products targeting CBD have not decreased. CBD is being integrated into gummy supplements, including combining with immune ingredients such as elderberries, combining with puzzle ingredients such as mushrooms, and combining with energy components such as PS and caffeine. The mushroom gummies launched by CBDfx contain 50 milligrams of CBD per gummy, combined with mushroom ingredients such as cordyceps, lingzhi, and shiitake mushrooms for adaptability and cognitive properties, promoting overall health.


The topic of "collagen gummies are an intelligence tax" has recently become popular on the internet. In fact, collagen was originally applied in the skincare industry and successfully entered the food market through the concept of "food as makeup". It not only helps with skincare, but also supports bone and joint health. Therefore, collagen gummies are not simply an "intelligence tax", but have expanded their application areas while meeting different needs, providing consumers with more choices. Unichi rose collagen gummies contain 1000 milligrams of marine collagen for every 2 gummies, and natural rose petals are added to nourish the skin from the inside out.

4) Expansion of multiple application scenarios

In addition, in addition to complex nutrient gummies that supplement vitamins and minerals, the functions of gummies have begun to expand into various fields. In addition to common functions such as emotional sleep, vision protection, immune enhancement, and oral beauty, functional gummies targeting brain health, exercise nutrition, weight loss, and heart health have also begun to emerge.

Brain Health
Schiff Vitamins recently launched a new product called Blackberry Candy, which contains natural coffee plant extracts NeurofactorTM and PS. NeurofactorTM can increase the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), while PS helps promote neuronal health, enhance memory and learning abilities.

Sports nutrition
Alani Nu gummies contain branched chain amino acids (L-leucine: L-isoleucine: L-valine=2:1:1), which help improve muscle strength and lean muscle mass, and aid in exercise recovery. In addition, by adding natural ingredients such as citric acid, electrolytes, and beetroot extract to enhance endurance and replenish moisture, Alani Nu gummies declare that they meet the needs of vegetarians and are gluten and sugar free, providing an ideal choice for consumers pursuing health.

Slimming
Hydroxycut's latest Ultra Shred gummies incorporate highly bioavailable capsaicin Axivite ®、 Green coffee bean extract, along with ingredients such as vitamin B6 and B12, helps with the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. In addition, mangoes in gummies provide a sweet taste, while chili peppers add a unique spiciness to the product.

Heart Health
Lilicare Coenzyme Q10 gummies use advanced gummy filling technology to encapsulate temperature or pH sensitive active functional ingredients inside the gummies to protect Coenzyme Q10 from oxidation, thereby maintaining its potency and effectiveness. This helps support healthy cellular energy metabolism, thereby promoting cardiovascular health. In addition, the combination of natural berry extract and pomegranate extract further enhances comprehensive support for heart function.

Summary
Soft candy supplements have always been one of the biggest successes in the health supplement industry. Originally designed in the form of children's vitamins, similar to candy, it has now developed into the preferred way of providing various active nutrients. I believe that with the development of the gummy supplement market, there will be more innovative products and technologies emerging in the future, bringing consumers more personalized and customized health solutions.