Talking points: Will Wegovy eat the food industry's lunch?

Consumer Foods

November 2023

The potential impact of newly approved drugs that mimic naturally occurring hormones to help treat, but not cure, obesity has taken center stage. The observation that people on the new medications have less appetite and consume fewer calories mushroomed into a wider fear that Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound are going to eat not just the food industry’s lunch but its breakfast, mid-morning snack, and dinner too.

Summary

Out of all the risks and threats the food and beverage industry faces, it is somewhat surprising that the potential impact of newly approved drugs that mimic the effects of naturally occurring hormones such as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) to help treat, but not cure, obesity has taken center stage. Last month, the observation by Walmart’s US CEO, John Furner, that people on the new medications who food shop at their stores were buying “less units, slightly less calories,” quickly mushroomed into a wider fear that Ozempic, Wegovy, and now Zepbound are going to eat not just the food industry’s lunch but probably its breakfast, mid-morning snack, and dinner too. For now, here are four points to consider:

1. It is exciting.

2. What will the GLP-1 diet look like?

3. For food companies, less can be more.

4. Reintroducing fiber, a natural weight loss treatment.