Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) said Friday that retail sales within the U.S. consumer packaged goods health and wellness industry reached $102.75 billion in 2007, representing growth of 15 percent over 2006.

The findings are part of NMI's annual Health & Wellness Trends Database research study, conducted in 2007 among 6,190 U.S. households. The tally includes sales across all retail and direct-to-consumer channels in six categories: functional/fortified foods and beverages; vitamins, minerals, herbal and dietary supplements; organic foods/beverages; natural foods/beverages; natural/organic personal care; and natural/organic general merchandise.

"Functional and fortified foods/beverages continue to comprise the largest segment within the health and wellness category," said NMI president Maryellen Molyneaux. "It represents more than one-third of all industry sales -- up 12 percent vs. 2006. This category will continue to grow, driven by consumers' desire for increased management of their health and more health options, and the high number of new product introductions across food and beverages that answer those needs."

The natural/organic personal care category showed the largest growth over 2006, at 29 percent, according to NMI. Based on recent in-depth research, NMI said it predicts that this category will show staying power, as evidenced by 842 new product introductions in 2007. Organic foods/beverages also show impressive growth of 25 percent over 2006, with 2,107 new product introductions last year, NMI said.

Based on consumer spending by product segment, consumer penetration/usage trends and projected data, industry retail dollars in billions for 2007 (and growth versus 2006) are as follows:

* Functional/Fortified Foods & Beverages: $38.6 (12%)
* Vitamins, Minerals, Herbal & Dietary Supplements: $21.7 (7%)
* Organic Foods/Beverages: $19.0 (25%)
* Natural Foods/Beverages: $14.1 (4%)
* Natural/Organic Personal Care: $7.8 (29%)
* Natural/Organic General Merchandise: $1.5 (21%)

NMI predicts that double-digit growth of the health and wellness marketplace will continue, with projected sales of $170 billion by 2012.