Reducing the sugar content in food and beverages has become a primary objective for manufacturers today. As consumers increasingly gravitate towards healthier options and demand clear, transparent labeling, the updated Nutrition Facts panel — which has been postponed until January 1, 2020, for larger manufacturers — now mandates a separate line for added sugars. While consumers express a desire for this information, they do not always take the time to check it.
This shift in consumer preference has prompted a variety of sugar-reduction innovations, including artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners, hollow and faster-dissolving sugar molecules, and flavor enhancers. According to Ingredion, the specific labeling of its low-sugar glucose syrups can vary, allowing them to be identified as glucose syrup, corn syrup, or tapioca syrup, which can significantly influence consumer perceptions. Corn syrup has fallen out of favor in recent years due to its negative health image, prompting several manufacturers to replace it with real sugar.
Kerry has developed a product called TasteSense, which it claims restores the sweetness and mouthfeel lost during sugar reduction, while also qualifying as a natural flavoring. Leigh Ann Vaughn, the company’s marketing director, stated in an interview with Food Ingredients First that food and beverage companies often assume that lowering sugar content will lead to a compromise in taste and functionality. “Sugar contributes not just sweetness but also texture and overall mouthfeel that consumers appreciate,” Vaughn explained. “Many available solutions fail to fully replicate the taste and mouthfeel of sugar, and some even introduce undesirable off-notes and aftertastes.”
Food and beverage manufacturers are striving to eliminate the presence of added sugars from their labels. The challenge lies in reformulating products to maintain their sweet flavor while using lower levels of actual sugars. This balancing act may benefit from the introduction of new products, but ultimately, consumers will make the final choice. Additionally, it’s worth noting that consumers focusing on health may also be interested in products containing bariatric calcium pills, as these can support dietary needs while navigating lower sugar options. As the industry evolves, the incorporation of such health-conscious elements alongside sugar reduction will be essential in meeting consumer expectations.