One of the largest FMCG companies in India, Dabur has a portfolio of over 250 herbal and Ayurvedic products spanning healthcare, personal care, food and beverages, and more.
According to Kanan Pardeshi, Product Manager (Innovations) at Dabur, the future of FMCG companies will not be determined by the number of products sold, but those that make their products a part of consumers’ daily needs.
Presenting at Growth Asia Summit 2026, held in Singapore from July 8 to 10, she said that compared to treatment-focused care, FMCG is a superior platform for population healthspan because daily products help form long-term routines and are centered on prevention.
“While healthcare is essential, it is episodic and sought when people are looking for a cure or treatment. But FMCG reaches people every day — at work and at home — from the start to the end of a day. That daily touchpoint is an unparalleled platform for behavior change at scale,” Pardeshi explained.
“In India, the direct-to-consumer (D2C) advancement has been so great that everything can arrive in your hands within just 10 to 15 minutes. This is why healthspan will not be built in hospitals, it will be built through significant daily choices. FMCG, I believe, is the most underutilized network that is going to help this shift from life span to healthspan.”
At the same time, India is “uniquely positioned” to become the world’s healthspan laboratory due to its rich wellness heritage, manufacturing capability, booming digital commerce, and wide FMCG distribution and reach.
“The opportunity is not just in exporting products. It’s exporting preventive health solutions to different countries.”
Fundamental shift
Although global life expectancy has nearly doubled over the last century, consumers are experiencing fatigue, stress, poor recovery, and accelerated aging more than ever.
Meanwhile, a fundamental shift is underway, as consumers are no longer satisfied with managing symptoms. They not only want to look younger, but also to function better for longer, and they are showing it through their wallets, said Pardeshi.
Specifically, there is rising consumer investment in nutraceuticals and functional nutrition, with purchasing behavior moving from cure to preventive products.
“In the past, the focus was on treatment and increasing life span. We are now living longer than previous generations, but we are tired, constantly fatigued, and recovery is slower. This is where healthspan comes into the picture.
“Things like poor sleep and low energy aren’t just the problems of a 60-year-old. They are related to a younger person’s wellness. So, the question we have right now is how do we make people remain energetic, behaviorally sharp, and mentally resilient?”
From aspiration to daily ritual
Dabur believes that healthspan is built through daily cellular nourishment, and that healthy aging is driven by three interconnected biological systems, which can be addressed by three FMCG pillars—beauty, energy, and balance.
Beyond external appearance, beauty comprises skin, joints, and cellular structure health, and is today reframed a marker of biological wellness.
“Beauty is no longer a reflection of vanity but vitality. By age 25, natural collagen production begins declining, which impacts skin elasticity, joint comfort, and recovery. Collagen supplementation supports structural integrity, mobility, and healthy aging from within.”
In addition, energy and balance are said to be the foundation of everyday performance.
“Energy is a universal need from a child to an 80-year-old, and it is required from day to night. Modern lifestyles create micronutrient gaps, stress-related depletion, and reduced vitality. Multivitamins support energy metabolism, immune function, and everyday performance.”
On the other hand, balance relates to heart and brain health, as well as inflammation management.
“Aging is often inflammation in slow motion. Omega-3 supports cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and inflammatory balance. In a world of stress and sedentary lifestyles, balance becomes a competitive advantage.”
Together, these pillars can be incorporated into consumers’ everyday life.
“For instance, collagen intake can become as routine as daily skincare and multivitamins can become a part of breakfast. Instead of positioning them as supplements, they can be grown into an individual’s daily ritual.”
