Functional food product development – Opportunities and challenges for food manufacturers

Functional foods, being one of the major food categories of the global health and wellness market, are becoming a major focus of new product development (NPD) in the food industry. Functional food product development (FFPD) is a complex process with success factors that are somewhat different from those of traditional new food product development. This review focuses on the need to evolve from a traditional NPD approach, toward an integrative and innovative approach involving cooperative networks and techniques of commercialization. Greater focus on a product-oriented NPD portfolio and diverse multiple external partners have been suggested as key factors for accelerating the progress of FFPD. ► Functional food product development is a complex process with success factor different than traditional food NPD. ► A brief comparison of traditional food NPD and functional food product development (FFPD). ► How to evolve from traditional NPD activities and practices to effectively succeed in FFPD. ► An integrative and innovative approach involving cooperative networks and techniques of commercialization as a way forward. ► New innovation business models (open innovation) highlighted to show various approaches to succeed in this sector.