Functional food: A need or avoidable?

Life in cities is changing rapidly with many embracing western food habits. The demand for functional food has made India an emerging market for these items.

Experts at a session on functional foods held on Friday, say lifestyle changes have increased the need for these kind of diet to compensate for the nutritional needs. However, there is another school of thought that swears by natural food.

Quoting a survey by International Food Information Council Foundation, Dr Gautam Banerjee of Unilever R&D, Bangalore, said 68-85% agreed that functional food can improve health condition, 85% thought it was good for the heart and 82% said it helped in the development of bone and many other parts of the body.

VP Iyer, director, South Asia, Kerry Ingredients and Flavours, said functional foods were an important part of an overall healthy lifestyle which included a balanced diet and physical activity. “Functional food was never considered to be magic pills and a wide variety of foods should be consumed including functional foods for a healthy diet,” he said

Renowned dietician and former director of Board of International Confederation of Dietetic Association, Sheela Krishnaswamy cautioned against the usage of supplements without guidance from a qualified nutritionist. “The prescribed protein and nutrition from consumption of diet and supplements are not required for everyone,” she said. 

The session, titled ‘Functional Foods — Potential Business Opportunity, was organised by Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce.