Turn challenges into growth in the thriving functional gummies market with SiMoGel®

Functional gummies have emerged as a leading trend in dietary supplements globally, with rapid growth across Europe, North America and Asia. We spoke with Pierre-Albert Thomas, Global Director Rousselot Functional Ingredients, about the history and popularity of functional gummies, conventional production challenges, and how, with gelatin solutions like SiMoGel, Rousselot’s R&D is opening up exciting opportunities.

How SiMoGel is changing the game in functional gummies

What are functional gummies?

Functional gummies are chewy, flavorful trea often sold in jars, pots or bottles across retail, drugstore and health food markets. What sets them apart from traditional gummy candies is their enrichment with health-promoting ingredients—ranging from vitamins, minerals and fibers to collagen or pre- and probiotics. The delivery format is marketed by pharmaceutical and nutraceutical brands under various names, including fortified or enriched gummies, health gummies, supplement gummies, cannabidiol (CBD) or vitamin gummies.

Where did functional gummies originate?

The market for functional gummies is booming—a surge preceded by a long history. The origins of functional gummies can be traced back to the 18th century, when apothecaries started prescribing sugared herbal remedies in the form of candy as a convenient way to treat disorders like digestion problems. In the mid-19th century, American pharmacist Oliver Chase invented the first machine to create medicated candy lozenges using gum arabic, peppermint and brown sugar – and changing the industry forever. Functional gummies as we know them today were first commercialized in the United States in the 1990s, when advancets in food technology and formulation enabled brands to add nutrients to a variety of food matrices. Initially, targeted toward children, these mineral- and vitamin-enriched gummy bears have since gained popularity among a wide range of consumers.

How is the market for functional gummies developing today?

In recent years, the gummy delivery format has seen unprecedented growth among all ages. The global market is projected to achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4% from 2023 to 2033¹. “Functional gummies are one of the fastest-growing trends in dietary supplements across Europe,” says Pierre-Albert Thomas, Global Director of Rousselot Functional Ingredients. “In 2021, gummies saw a massive 74.9% boom in sales, becoming the largest non-pill format with an impressive 21.3% market share.”² He adds that, at a recent Vitafoods Europe nutraceutical trade fair, ”gummy innovation took center stage, as many ingredient manufacturers chose this delivery format for their sample products.”

Why are functional gummies so popular?

The growing interest  in gummy supplements among consumers and brands is easy to understand. Unlike pills or capsules, gummies are visually appealing, available in a wide vareity of shapes, sizes and colors. With nearly unlimited flavor options, they can also mask unpleasant tastes. Most importantly, they are easy to chew and swallow. "For consumers, gummies can make getting your recommended daily dose of vitamins and supplements a fun experience,” says Pierre-Albert. “And for manufacturers, correct formulation allows for the inclusion and combination a broad range of active ingredients, while delivering excellent shelf-life stability.” 

How can manufacturers overcome traditional challenges in gummy production?

In traditional manufacturing settings, the journey from a functional gummy concept to final product is far from simple. “Functional gummy manufacturing has typically been a sticky business with numerous risks and challenges,” explains Pierre-Albert. “These still exist, but formulation advances and the discovery of new technologies are changing the game.” One major game changer is SiMoGel—a patented technology developed by teams at Rousselot’s Global Application Center. SiMoGel enables nutraceutical companies to transform common challenges into opportunities.

Getting the texture just right

• Texture is a critical factor in this segment: a gummy that does not have the perfect chew—either too tough or too soft—will not sell. “The choice of gelling agent plays a pivotal role in texture,” explains Pierre-Albert. “Gelatin, a traditional choice known for its superior mouthfeel and transparency, has been used for over a century. With new gelatin formulation technologies like SiMoGel, we are reaching further, allowing producers to offer innovative products with the signature elasticity and long lasting chew of gelatin gummies.” SiMoGel also allows manufacturers to deposit the gummy mass directly into blister packs, streamlining production.

Minimizing cross-contamination risks

• Another common risk in gummy production stems from the traditional  starch-molding method.  ‘With starchmolding, the hot gummy mass is deposited into imprints in starch molds, left to cure, and then removed, after which  the starch is recycled for the next batch,” explains Pierre-Albert. "When active ingredients are added, this process carries a risk of cross-contamination, since the same starch is reused between product runs. With SiMoGel, however, the manufacturers can deposit the mass directly into silicone or metal molds, or even blister packs, avoiding this risk.”

Faster setting for greater efficiency

• The setting time required for gelatin is another key challenge—one that directly impacts the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of nutraceutical production lines. In this area, SiMoGel is a game-changer, says Pierre-Albert. “It offers a groundbreaking gelation speed of 15 to 20 minutes, compared to the typical 24-hours setting time. As a gelatin-based solution, it not only enhances hygiene but also dramatically improves production efficiency and flexibility.”

Wowing consumers with novel dosage forms

• Innovative gelatin-based formulations also enable the design of novel dosage forms. One example is liquid-filled “gummy caps”—a format made possible by SiMoGel and developed by Rousselot. Positioned at the intersection of gummies and softgels, gummy caps, feature an active principle ingredient (API) within a liquid center. This reduces the risk of interaction with the gelatin excipient while enabling more precise delivery. Combining the enjoyable taste and texture of a gummy with the functional efficiency of a capsule, gummy caps are well-suited for a broad range of nutraceutical and over-the-counter (OTC) healthcare products.

Using active ingredients more effectively and efficiently

• Gummy caps represent a major leap in formulation efficiency, Pierre-Albert continues. “Traditionally, the high heat needed to produce gelatin gummies has compromised the stability of active ingredients. To counter this, nutraceutical manufacturers often had to overuse expensive vitamins or supplements—for example, adding extra Vitamin C to offset heat degradation during syrup processing. Gummy caps change that by carrying the API in a liquid or gel center, we preserve ingredient integrity and reduce waste. An 80 mg Vitamin C gummy cap, for example, uses 30% less Vitamin C than a traditional functional gummy.” The lower temperature requirements not only help maintain nutrient stability but also expand formulation possibilities, including heath sensitive ingredients like probiotics. Gummy caps also deliver higher nutrient loads: a single multi-vitamin gummy cap can meet the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of 10 vitamins—something that typically requires three standard nutraceutical gummies.

A clean label advantage

• Unlike some plant-based alternatives, gelatin used in gummies avoids E numbers, contributing to cleaner labels. “Consumers increasingly want clean and natural ingredients,” says Pierre-Albert “Gelatin, a pure protein derived from collagen, offers a natural and sustainable solution, meeting the demand for clean label positioning.”

Reducing sugar content

• Today’s health-conscious consumers are wary of sugar, which means adding sugars and fructose syrups is no longer the best way to satisfying their desire for sweet-tasting gummies. Delivering the same sensory enjoyment consumers get from a traditional sugar-sweetened gummy, but with less or zero sugar, is challenging,” says Pierre-Albert. “Gelatin provides exciting solutions, thanks to its high compatibility with a wide range of ingredients and sweetening agents.”

Are there other success factors in functional gummy production?

Nutraceutical gummies will continue to be a crowd pleaser for long, offering consumers of all ages a versatile and enjoyable way to take supplements. So how does a manufacturer stand out in this exciting, but crowded market? Pierre-Albert offers his perspective: “Gelatin remains the gold standard for gummy innovation, but creating the perfect gelatin formulation will still be a challenge. In my view, brands need a reliable ingredients partner with extensive experience to help them overcome production obstacles, get their products to market faster and succeed in the growing gummy space. That’s why at Rousselot, we not only invest heavily in R&D, but also in close collaboration and technical support for our customers. Even in this growing market, there’s a lot of potential for further improvement of products and processes.” 

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