Today, there are about 10,000 natural products stores in the United States, according to the Natural Nutritional Foods Association. This is a big stretch from the industry's meager beginnings (and Benedict Lust's store). It also seems that most Americans have benefited from natural foods or supplements at some point in their lives. The NNFA also states that more than half the U.S. population, (or more than 100 million Americans), use dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals and herbs to maintain good health and supplement inadequate diets. Functional foods are the fastest growing segment of the industry, taking 36 percent of the market. Revenues from organic foods sales reached $5.6 billion, according to the Nutrition Business Journal. Here are some dominate players in the health industry today: |
