{
  "id": 18884740,
  "title": "Adding up: The booming business of food additives",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/adding-up-the-booming-business-of-food-additives",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-08T07:00:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2026/1108/1598329-food-drink-additives/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Food and drink additives have a long history, with civilizations adding preservatives and flavor enhancement for centuries. The additives business has grown significantly as food production became industrialized. The global market for additives is now estimated at around €75 billion, and it could increase to over €120 billion in the next decade. The fortification and enrichment business, which adds nutrients to foods for health benefits, is even larger, worth between €130 billion and €175 billion this year, with an expected nearly doubling to €350 billion in the next decade.\n\nThe additives market often focuses on basic practical reasons, such as adding salt for shelf-life and flavorings for taste. However, the fortification and enrichment side aims to add nutrients with health benefits, commanding a premium price. There is a growing trend towards functional foods, which focus on health and wellness, such as healthy snacks, energy drinks, and protein bars. These products rely on various additives to function properly.\n\nA significant driver in the market is the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, which have gained popularity in recent years, particularly in the US. While the use of these drugs may negatively impact some parts of the food and drink industry, it is a good time for the additives business. As users of these drugs eat less, they seek nutritionally rich products, particularly in protein and fibre, to maintain muscle and support gut health. Irish companies, including Glanbia and Kerry Group, are well-positioned in this market, with Glanbia focusing on performance nutrition, health and nutrition, and dairy nutrition businesses, which include protein and other fitness supplements, as well as vitamins, minerals, and flavourings.",
  "summary": "Adding ingredients to food and drink can help boost sales or draw consumer scrutiny, but such additives represent a huge business in their own right, writes Adam Maguire.",
  "key_points": [
    "Global food additives market valued at €75 billion, projected to exceed €120 billion in next decade",
    "Fortification/enrichment sector worth €130-175 billion, expected to nearly double to €350 billion",
    "GLP-1 weight-loss drugs driving demand for nutritionally rich functional foods and supplements"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The surge in demand for nutritionally dense functional foods allows additive manufacturers to pivot toward high-margin health products as weight-loss drugs shift consumer eating habits.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}