In 1990, just a few years after the term “nutraceuticals” first
hit the street, it made Webster’s Dictionary. Here’s the definition
of nutraceutical from the dictionary’s current online version: “A
foodstuff (as a fortified food or dietary supplement) that provides health benefits.”
OK, I thought, that’s a good, simple definition of this industry segment.
When I checked the same definition on dictionary.com, I had to chuckle just
a bit: “A food or naturally occurring food supplement thought to have
a beneficial effect on human health.”