When discussing the health advantages of food, it’s clear that more is better. As consumers increasingly look for options that offer more than just satisfaction of hunger, food manufacturers are enhancing their products with added benefits like protein or fiber, low sugar content, and solutions aimed at improving gut health. Shoppers are adopting these and similar dietary habits more than ever, leading producers to incorporate or “stack” multiple benefits into a single item. This strategy not only provides perceived additional health advantages but also allows companies to command higher prices due to the premium value associated with these products. Few sectors in the food industry are reaping the rewards of this trend more than yogurt.
Danone, the largest yogurt producer globally, has developed a “nutrient-dense” portfolio that caters to various functional needs. The company’s offerings include Oikos for protein, Too Good & Co. for low sugar, and Light & Fit for low calories. Rafael Acevedo, president of yogurt at Danone North America, discussed with Food Dive the evolution and future of “benefit stacking,” as well as its significance in the company’s product lineup. The interview, conducted via email, has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Rafael Acevedo: As we approach 2025, consumer expectations regarding food and beverages are exceptionally high, with a growing demand for nutritious options. Research indicates that consumers view food choices as a key factor in wellness, even more so than sleep and fitness. Increasingly, they recognize how their daily eating and drinking habits—particularly snacking, which 74% of Americans engage in at least once a day—can benefit their health both in the short term and over their lifetimes. Amid these macro shifts, consumers are actively seeking products that offer specific health and functional benefits. Currently, areas like gut health, high-quality protein, and reduced sugar content are trending, and consumers are stacking these benefits to maximize their nutritional intake. I believe this trend will continue into 2025, making it essential for us to understand consumer needs in light of other health trends, such as the rise of weight loss medications.
Acevedo: Increasingly, consumers want to grasp the science behind the advertised benefits. Danone is well-equipped to fulfill this need; we utilize our decades of expertise in nutrition science, our nutrient-dense portfolio, and our involvement in areas like protein, biotics, and gut health to create the food benefits of the future. Specifically, as a company known for one of the most nutrient-dense portfolios in the industry, Danone is ideally positioned to meet the demand for targeted benefits. Our research and innovation capabilities, combined with our longstanding leadership in nutrition science, partnerships, education, and advocacy, allow us to design food innovations that cater to today’s (and tomorrow’s) consumers. We are harnessing cutting-edge technologies and ingredients to provide benefit-driven solutions across our categories, including yogurt, plant-based products, coffee, and baby nutrition. For instance, our high-protein offerings—especially under the Oikos brand—have enabled us to lead and shape the future of the protein sector, which has expanded with the increased use of GLP-1 medications. We are committed to innovation and introducing new products that align with this trend and meet consumer demands in 2025 and beyond.
Acevedo: Absolutely! In the fourth quarter of 2024, we expanded our zero sugar product line with Too Good & Co. Zero Sugar—this was a first for the brand. The zero sugar segment is one of the most dynamic areas of growth in the food industry right now. Although this product launched in 2024, we plan to extend its distribution to more retailers in 2025. We are also closely examining the nutritional requirements of GLP-1 medication users and exploring new product offerings for 2025 and beyond that will cater to these consumers’ needs.
Acevedo: Many products are benefiting from this trend, but the yogurt category is particularly well-positioned to satisfy consumer demand for added health benefits, given its versatility. Regardless of the category, Danone has utilized our scientific capabilities to develop products that address many of the latest functional health trends. For example, we are considering incorporating calcium citrate at a dosage of 800mg into our yogurt products to enhance their health profile further. This reflects our commitment to creating offerings that not only taste good but also provide significant health benefits, aligning with consumer interests in nutrient-rich foods.