2025
8
Germany Attitudes towards Fortified and Functional Food and Drink Consumer Report 2025
2025-12-30T22:00:57+00:00
REP6128A4BF_992D_46F1_A77E_0D32F3AE8581
2195
190814
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Report
en_GB
Despite slowing food & drink inflation, economic pessimism persists in Germany. As people's finances and time become tighter, fortified and functional food & drink can focus on multifunctionality and convenience…
Germany
Specialised Nutrition
Consumer Attitudes
simple

Germany Attitudes towards Fortified and Functional Food and Drink Consumer Report 2025

"As busy consumers' price and time sensitivities rise, go beyond high protein with multifunctional, 'all-in-one' formats that deliver convenient value for money."

Hope Banks Petrikowski, Analyst – Food & Drink

Hope Banks Petrikowski, Analyst – Food & Drink

Despite slowing food & drink inflation, economic pessimism persists in Germany. As people’s finances and time become tighter, fortified and functional food & drink can focus on multifunctionality and convenience to prove value for money.

As consumers move towards a holistic health approach, single-nutrient ‘maxxing’ becomes less relevant. Indeed, 64% of Germans believe high-protein products are overrated, prompting brands to focus on ingredient quality and functional benefits.

In addition to interest in multiple health benefits, category users’ desire for more personalised nutrition options can help address confusion about which fortified/functional products are best for their health, presenting an opportunity for brands to better engage their audience.

This report looks at the following areas:

  • Germans’ use and usage frequency of fortified/functional food & drink products
  • Fortified ingredients used by Germans, including changing consumption of added protein, vitamins and minerals
  • Product features that would incentivise both category- and non-users to purchase fortified/functional food & drink, with a focus on price and product versatility
  • Attitudes and behaviours towards fortified/functional food & drink, highlighting ‘protein fatigue’, convenience and personalisation
  • Trends and opportunities in category launch activity, with a focus on flavour and organic innovation
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  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Outlook for fortified and functional food & drink
    • Opportunities
    • Health-boosting options for busy Germans
    • Personalised nutritional solutions attract younger consumers
    • Ingredient quality will catch consumers’ attention
  2. THE MARKET

    • Economic pessimism leads to price sensitivity
    • Personalised health solutions are in younger consumers’ focus
    • Graph 1: share of consumers citing health as a higher priority compared to a year ago, by age group, 2025
    • UPF concerns encourage cleaner ingredient lists from fortified food & drink
    • Shift away from ‘maxxing’ to holistic nutrition
    • AI shifts consumers’ nutrition management
  3. THE CONSUMER

    • Targeting current non-category users
    • Non-category users prioritise flavour innovation over health versatility
    • Category users are increasing consumption frequency
    • Slow growth in new users
    • Graph 2: consumption of fortified/functional food & drink in the last three months, 2023-25
    • For non-users, taste is a sticking point
    • Price concerns open doors for private-label growth
    • Types of fortified ingredients used
    • Germans aged 55+ are key users for added vitamins/minerals
    • Beautifying ingredients speak to younger consumers
    • Lean on the gut-brain axis to promote mental health ingredients
    • Purchase incentives for fortified and functional food & drink
    • Focus on the complete nutritional package
    • Snackable convenience is key
    • Category users are looking for a clear health impact
    • Health confusion underscores demand for evidential nutrition labelling
    • Younger women want products that work for them
    • Addressing ‘high-protein fatigue’
    • Protein tops added vitamins/minerals as Germans’ fortified ingredient of choice
    • There’s not much to be gained in high protein without quality over quantity
    • A rise in at-home cooking creates opportunity for fortified/functional cooking aides
  4. PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING

    • High/added protein maintains its strong presence among fortified and functional launches
    • Graph 3: functional/fortified food & drink* launches by top fortified, functional and plus claims, 2022-25
    • Flavour trends show white space for uniqueness
    • Graph 4: flavoured functional/fortified food & drink launches, by top flavour component groups, 2022-25
    • Look beyond sweet flavours for dessert innovation
    • Organic claims can boost natural and healthy appeal
    • Graph 5: functional/fortified food & drink launches, by select natural claims, 2023-25
    • Think outside the tea box for organic drinks
  5. APPENDIX

    • Report scope
    • The consumer
    • Consumer research questions
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Germany generation groups
    • Abbreviations
    • A note on language – Germany

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