Although the category has not been recession proof, U.S. retail functional food and beverage sales still grew by 6 percent to an estimated $31 billion in 2008 from $29 billion the year before.

The Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), Harleyville, Pa., said U.S. health and wellness retail product sales reached more than $112 billion in 2008, a 9 percent increase compared to 2007.

Research indicates that consumers want their food to fill them up and make them healthier.

Excluding beverages, the food industry still represents the biggest market for flavors and fragrances and it could post annual growth of 3.6 percent to sales of $1.9 billion in 2012.

Sales of functional foods - those fortified with naturally occurring ingredients that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition - are projected to ring up annual compound growth of 7 percent each year through 2012.