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Formulating food and beverages that support GLP‑1 users
As GLP‑1 adoption reshapes eating behaviour across Europe, brands in food, beverage, and nutraceuticals face a rapidly evolving landscape defined by reduced appetite, smaller portions, and shifting nutritional needs. Foodology by Univar Solutions supports manufacturers with GLP-1 friendly ingredients and formulation expertise to help them respond to this growing market.
How GLP‑1 is transforming food and beverage formulation
The rise of GLP‑1 therapies is driving new formulation priorities across industries, as consumers increasingly require nutrient‑dense products that deliver satiety, functionality, and strong sensory experience in smaller servings. This shift is accelerating demand for functional ingredients for GLP-1 users such as protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals, and low‑glycaemic sweeteners.
Reformulation presents both a significant opportunity and a challenge, requiring versatile ingredient systems and reliable supply partners with deep regional expertise.
Explore our comprehensive GLP-1 ingredients and formulation solutions for Food and Beverage
Foodology by Univar Solutions brings together a European portfolio of functional, health‑focused ingredients with technical and formulation support to help brands innovate across beverages, snacks, dairy, plant‑based alternatives, and more—enabling faster response to evolving GLP‑1‑driven consumer needs.
33M
People living with diabetes in Europe4
~2% of adults
9–10M
European & UK adults on GLP-1 therapies5
CAGR 2025–2030
16.1%
European GLP-1 weight loss drug market6
53%
European adults classified as overweight or obese7
How will GLP-1 drugs influence consumer shopping Behaviour
ING Bank analysis⁵, drawing on multiple sources including Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly revenue data and European consumer research, estimates that GLP-1 users reduce their calorie intake by 15–20%. With ~2% of European and UK adults currently using these medications (approximately 9 to 10 million people) the current impact on total European food calorie demand is approximately 0.25%¹. While manageable today, ING projects the market will grow significantly, reaching an estimated USD 100 billion globally by end of 2027. As GLP-1 adoption expands, the grocery and packaged food implications will become material, particularly in categories such as savoury snacks, sweet baked goods, alcohol, and confectionery. Independent research consistently shows GLP-1 users reduce spending in calorie-dense categories: chips and salty snacks down ~11%, sweet baked goods down ~7%.
What GLP-1 users now expect from GLP-1 companion foods:
- Maximum nutrient density while minimising portion size
- Higher protein and fibre concentrations
- Better micronutrient density
- Improved textures and flavours
- Convenient, portion-controlled products (RTDs, bars, fortified snacks)
- Clean-label, recognisable ingredient lists — European consumers particularly value this
Formulation challenges to support satiety, digestibility, nutrition, and taste:
- Creating nutrient-dense products that are high in protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals, and low in sugar and calories — while maintaining a smaller portion size
- Meeting European consumer demand for clean-label, minimalist ingredient formulations
- Developing sensory solutions that satisfy cravings within reduced serving sizes
- Addressing specific GLP-1 side effects prevalent among European users: nausea, digestive discomfort, dehydration, and muscle loss
- Complying with EU regulatory frameworks for health claims and novel ingredients
Key Food and Beverage ingredients for GLP-1 companion products
The most innovative and top-performing formulations start with quality ingredients you can trust. Our broad portfolio supports development across a variety of food and beverage applications, giving you access to ingredients that align with your production, regulatory, and quality requirements.
Our GLP-1 ingredient portfolio includes:
- Select active nutraceutical ingredients (ANIs)
- Botanicals and phytoactives
- Minerals
- Phospholipids
- Prebiotic and dietary fibers
- Proteins
- Sweeteners
- Vitamins
European GLP-1 adoption: where the market stands today
GLP-1 adoption in Europe is growing rapidly but from a lower base than the US. Current estimates place approximately 9 to 10 million adults across Europe using GLP-1 medications, representing around 2% of the adult population — compared to approximately 12% in the US⁵. This gap means European food brands have a meaningful window to develop GLP-1 companion products ahead of the expected surge in adoption.
Key factors accelerating European uptake includes:
- NHS England coverage for Wegovy from 2024; French health authorities (HAS) approving GPs to prescribe weight-loss GLP-1 drugs
- Dutch authorities considering expanding public health insurance coverage; and the approval in late 2025 of an oral semaglutide obesity treatment, which removes the injection barrier for many potential users.
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Customer value
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Customer value
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Customer value
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- Aenean volutpat risus diam, nec fermentum magna blandit a.
- Nam mollis faucibus ante eu faucibus. Ut consequat sed nisl vel condimentum.
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Why partner with Foodology by Univar Solutions for GLP-1 consumer nutrition solutions?
Consumer needs are evolving fast across European markets. Whether you are a food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or nutraceutical manufacturer, you need a partner who can help you move just as quickly. We work alongside you as a trusted ingredient partner who can provide scalable solutions and enable the development of GLP-1 friendly products using GLP-1 friendly ingredients from our expansive portfolio of high-quality ingredients sourced from Europe and globally.
All of this is backed by reliable distribution across European markets, regulatory expertise aligned with European frameworks, and the technical expertise needed to meet the demands of the GLP-1 receptor agonist market and beyond.
Ready to get in touch and start formulating for GLP-1 consumers?
Connect with our European formulation specialists to discuss ingredients, request samples, or collaborate on your next GLP-1 friendly food, beverage, or supplement.
FAQs about GLP-1 Food, Beverage and Nutraceutical Formulations
How does Foodology by Univar Solutions help European brands formulate nutrient-dense products for GLP-1 users?
We offer a broad European portfolio of proteins, fibres, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners, and active nutraceutical ingredients designed to maximise nutritional impact per serving. Our technical teams and dedicated food kitchens within our Global Solution Centres can help brands optimise ingredient formulations so they can deliver high nutrient density without compromising taste and texture — all within EU regulatory frameworks and clean-label requirements.
Which nutrients are prioritised for GLP-1 companion foods?
Protein and fibre fortification are essential for overall nutrition, satiety, and muscle mass preservation — the latter being particularly important as GLP-1 drugs can result in significant lean mass loss. These are followed by micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, which the body needs in sufficient quantities despite significantly reduced caloric intake. Electrolytes are also important given dehydration as a commonly reported side effect.
How is GLP-1 medication adoption changing food and beverage formulation requirements in Europe?
GLP-1 medications reduce appetite and slow gastric emptying, which is driving demand for smaller portions with high nutrient density. European brands are prioritising protein, fibre, micronutrients, and functional ingredients that deliver satiety and nutrition while preserving taste, texture, and clean-label expectations. European consumers additionally place particular emphasis on ingredient transparency and compliance with EU nutrition and health claim regulations (Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006).
Can Foodology by Univar Solutions provide clean-label and regulatory documentation?
Yes, ingredient documentation, quality specifications, safety data sheets, and supply chain transparency are integrated into our European distribution network and Solution Centres. We support compliance with EU food safety frameworks including EFSA assessments and European Pharmacopoeia specifications where applicable.
Does Foodology by Univar Solutions support pharmaceutical development in the GLP-1 market?
Yes, we provide a wide range of ingredients for pharmaceuticals including the excipients used in GLP-1 RA drug formulations across multiple dosage formats, as well as ingredients for supplement products.
Visit our pharmaceutical and nutraceutical ingredients page for more information.
Why is ingredient sourcing especially important for GLP-1 product innovation in Europe?
As GLP-1 adoption grows across European markets, manufacturers need consistent quality, regulatory confidence, and reliable supply chains that meet EU food safety and pharma regulations. Foodology by Univar Solutions offers European and globally sourced ingredients, pan-European distribution capabilities, and supply chain resilience — helping brands scale GLP-1 friendly products with confidence across Europe.
How does the European GLP-1 market differ from North America, and why does that matter for formulation?
European GLP-1 adoption (currently ~2% of adults, or approximately 9–10 million people) is significantly lower than the US (~12%). However, the European market is growing fast — at a CAGR of 16.1% for the weight loss segment (2025–2030) — and European consumers tend to be particularly focused on clean-label, plant-based, and EU-regulated natural ingredients. This means GLP-1 companion product formulation for Europe requires European ingredient specifications, EU health claims compliance, and ingredient positioning aligned with European consumer values around naturalness and sustainability.
Ready to get in touch and start formulating for GLP-1 consumers?
Connect with our European formulation specialists to discuss ingredients, request samples, or collaborate on your next GLP-1 friendly food, beverage, or supplement.
Ready to get in touch and start formulating for GLP-1 consumers?
Connect with our European formulation specialists to discuss ingredients, request samples, or collaborate on your next GLP-1 friendly food, beverage, or supplement.
Why choose us as your supplier for your GLP-1 market needs
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References
1. European & UK adults currently using GLP-1 medications (approx. 2% of adults) ING Bank, April 2026
2. CAGR — European GLP-1 weight loss drug market, 2025–2030 Grand View Research
3. European adults overweight or obese — the addressable patient population WHO Europe
4. People living with diabetes in Europe IDF Diabetes Atlas 10th Edition
5. ING Bank European GLP-1 food demand report (April 2026)
6. Grand View Research GLP-1 agonists weight loss drugs market — Europe (January 2026)
7. WHO Europe obesity data (2025)
8. International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas 10th Edition (2025)
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