HARLEYSVILLE, Pa. — Retail sales of health and wellness consumer packaged goods reached $102.8 billion in the U.S. last year, representing growth of 15% over the previous year, according to the Natural Marketing Institute here. The natural/organic personal care category showed the largest growth over 2006, at 29% to $7.8 billion, followed by organic foods and beverages at 25% to $19 billion and functional foods and beverages at 12% to $38.6 billion. “Functional and fortified foods/beverage continue to comprise the largest segment within the health and wellness category," said Maryellen Molyneaux, president of NMI, in a statement. "It represents more than one-third of all industry sales. This category will continue to grow, driven by consumers’ desire for increased management of their health and more health options, and the high number of new product introductions across food and beverages that answer those needs.”
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