Core Insights - The Chinese medicinal food market is projected to reach 265 billion yuan in 2024, with an 18% year-on-year growth, and is expected to exceed 370 billion yuan by 2025, with the entire industry chain valued at over 2 trillion yuan [1] Policy Benefits - Continuous expansion of the catalog: The National Health Commission is accelerating updates to the "Medicinal Food Catalog," adding four new substances in 2024, bringing the total to 106 by June 2025, providing greater space for product development [1] - Regulatory standardization: A "full-chain traceability" system for food safety will be launched in 2024, requiring companies to upload complete process data; the "negative list management" proposed during the Two Sessions will strengthen raw material safety and efficacy claims, raising industry entry barriers [1] Consumer Demand - Young demographics as the main force: 90% of post-90s individuals have health preservation awareness, with over half taking action; new concepts like "health coffee" and "water substitutes" are gaining popularity, with products like ginseng coffee and yellow essence latte appealing to younger consumers [2] - Diversification of consumption scenarios: The market is shifting from health supplements to daily consumption, exemplified by Hema's upgraded "Traditional Health Water" and ready-to-eat medicinal dishes like Rehmannia chicken soup and yam pork rib soup [2] Industry Innovation and Technology - Product form innovation: Food products now account for 60% of the market, with trends towards instant and snackable formats; for instance, "Yuzhu Lily Drink" retains over 90% of polysaccharides through low-temperature extraction, balancing efficacy and taste [3] - Technology empowering the supply chain: Leading companies are using AI climate models for cultivation, increasing ginsenoside content by 20%; yeast synthesis of ganoderic acid has reduced costs by 40% [3] - Accelerated cross-industry integration: Traditional brands like Tongrentang and Li Liangji are collaborating with Hema to launch health afternoon teas; coffee brands are incorporating ginseng and ganoderma to enhance functionality [3] Social Value and Industry Linkage - Supporting rural revitalization: The cultivation of medicinal food raw materials is driving large-scale development in various regions, such as Guizhou Yuankun Pharmaceutical establishing GAP bases for local medicinal materials, creating a "planting-processing-branding" industry chain [4] - Practicing the "big food concept": The expansion of the catalog promotes the foodification of medicinal materials, broadening food sources and enhancing added value [4]

Core Viewpoint - The "medicine-food homology" industry in China is experiencing explosive growth, driven by increasing health awareness and favorable policies, with the market size surpassing 370 billion yuan and expected to exceed 400 billion yuan in 2024 [3][6]. Market Overview - The market for "medicine-food homology" has reached 376.3 billion yuan in 2023, with a growing number of registered enterprises, totaling over 2,900, and 400 new registrations in the first eleven months of the previous year [6][7]. - The industry is viewed as a vast blue ocean with significant development potential, as it combines the properties of food and traditional Chinese medicine, offering convenience in management compared to strictly regulated health products [7]. Consumer Trends - The younger generation, particularly Generation Z, is becoming the main consumer force in health and wellness, driving innovation in "medicine-food homology" products across various sectors such as snacks, dairy, and beverages [4][16]. - The demand for health products is expanding beyond the elderly demographic, with a notable increase in the consumption of health supplements among middle-aged and young consumers [8][10]. Product Innovation - Innovative products are emerging, such as traditional Chinese medicine-infused snacks and beverages, which are transforming the perception of these ingredients from "disease assistance" to "daily consumption" [15][17]. - Major companies are collaborating to develop health-oriented products, such as dairy products and condiments infused with traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients [17]. Regulatory Environment - The Chinese government is actively promoting the "medicine-food homology" sector through policies that simplify recognition processes and expand the list of approved substances, with 106 items currently included [10][11]. - However, the industry faces challenges due to a lack of standardized regulations, leading to market confusion and potential consumer deception regarding product claims [11][12]. Quality Control and Challenges - Quality control remains a significant issue, with concerns about the authenticity and consistency of medicinal ingredients, necessitating advanced technologies for traceability and verification [18]. - The industry is also grappling with homogenization, where many manufacturers replicate successful products, leading to a crowded market where price becomes a primary competitive factor [18]. Future Directions - The industry is moving towards standardization, technological advancement, and innovation, with a focus on research-backed product development to differentiate genuine innovations from mere marketing gimmicks [18].