While the world was battling with various geopolitical, economic and religious issues, a virus rapidly crept in and helped us realise what really matters. Health indeed is the only wealth we have. As over eight lakh people are infected with the novel Corona virus or Covid-19 (with the number increasing at an alarming rate), the path to build immunity is crucial to fight the virus. And it is no secret that the role of nutrients in supporting the immune system is extremely important. However, this is not easing commercial woes for the nutraceuticals industry.

A lowdown on the lockdownMajor organisations across the world are facing a financial crunch, and it is not surprising that the nutraceuticals industry has an arduous journey ahead. Not only are various expos and international meets getting postponed (with a bleak chance of resuming), the export and trade relations between countries are on a complete halt, and maybe even strained, posing a threat to the manufacturing process.

Meanwhile, government restrictions have not made it easy on the customer front. However, the consumption of potential nutrients and micronutrients like vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6 and B 12, folate, zinc, iron, copper and selenium for immunity defence is pivotal. It is imperative for the government to allow dietary supplements and natural product retailers to remain operational as essential businesses. The dietary industry associations in the US are also urging their government to do the same.

In times like these, having the nutraceuticals industries operate is very important now more than ever. It will get challenging for the government to fulfil the basic nutritional needs of our population of 1.2 billion with minimum labour in such difficult times.

Additionally, food-based nutrition may take a dip, as the prices may hike due to the scarcity, making it challenging for the people falling under low economic strata to sustain their needs. This poses another challenge of being vulnerable to the virus and its spread. Thus, the FSSAI must suggest that nutraceuticals supplements can offer vital nutritional benefits to keep the immune system at its optimal. Additionally, for urban consumers its easy storage will help sustain the healthy habit.

Situational needs of nutraceuticals brandsCovid-19 is presenting an almost never-seen-before situation that will compel nutraceuticals companies to evaluate their supply chains and adapt to new systems faster than ever before. Most companies are running from pillar to post in order to put together a business continuity plan to ensure that their customers remain unaffected or at least, minimally affected.

Given the current market scenario, emerging nutraceuticals brands targeting the preventive healthcare segment must thoroughly understand and ascertain the degree of work that is required to establish consumer trust with regards to the efficacy promise of the brand. There is also a real threat of an unforeseeable crisis that could disrupt a very interdependent and convoluted supply chain.

On the other hand, it is important for dietary supplement brands to not overreact in this situation. In all likelihood (and we hope), that this change and a shift in the policies, consumption and manufacturing may be temporary. While it may impact our business and commercials significantly, it might also fuel the need for supplements for the end-consumer. A key shift in the markets would be that India could be the next big source of raw materials as well as finished goods, as the Chinese trade experiences a slump.

Nutraceuticals brands need to continue doing their best to create awareness amongst the people about the ongoing situation. Most consumers are seeking information through social media. Hence, it becomes important to educate the customers digitally, to ensure this message reaches out in a wider magnitude.

It is also crucial that in this time of crisis, nutraceuticals companies and healthcare service and product providers come together to spread knowledge and not fear, as there is already a lot of panic due to all the fake news available on the Internet, given the disproportionate amount of information asymmetry that exists.

(The author is CEO & director, Purenutrition.me. He can be reached at customercare@purenutrition.me)

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