Source: LOHAS Weekly Newsletter
Published: Monday, November 01, 1999

Organic dairy products, currently just 0.3% of the $75 billion American dairy market, could reach 2% of the market by 2005, almost a sevenfold increase, The New York Times reported. Public resistance to rBGH, a genetically engineered hormone used to increase milk production in cows, is contributing to demand for organic dairy products.

Nicholas Hall & Co. reported that the worldwide market for over-the-counter medications grew 4% in 1998 to $46 billion. North American sales reached $15.8 billion. The Essex, England, company uses its global OTC database to provide data and analysis on the self-medication market.

Close to 94% of Canadians say that herbal supplements are becoming more accepted by consumers, and 51.4% say they would be “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to take an herbal supplement to treat a cold, according to findings released at a forum held in Toronto, ON. Results of the survey of more than 1,000 Canadians conducted by Gallup Canada for Traditional Medicinals of Sebastopol, CA, indicate a strong acceptance by Canadians of herbal supplements and natural health therapies. About two-thirds of those surveyed believe strongly or somewhat strongly that natural herbal supplements can be as effective as prescription drugs.