These survey findings should not come as a surprise to food manufacturers and retailers, given the ongoing trend of reducing sugar consumption. In fact, minimizing sugar levels in food and beverages has become a primary goal for manufacturers as consumers, particularly in the U.S. and beyond, increasingly seek healthier options with clear and transparent labeling. The revised Nutrition Facts label, which will be mandatory for products from major manufacturers by January 1, 2020, includes a specific line for added sugars. Consumers have expressed a desire for this information, even if they don’t consistently check it. Their preferences, combined with manufacturers’ reluctance to display high sugar content, have led to various innovations in sugar reduction, such as artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners, hollow and rapidly dissolving sugar molecules, and flavor enhancers.
Rabobank has forecast a reduction of 5% or more in sugar usage across the global food and beverage industry over a two- to three-year timeframe, which could counterbalance any expected growth in consumption in developing markets. Bloomberg reports that global Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) producers reduced sugar and salt in approximately 20% of their products in 2016, responding to the increasing consumer demand for healthier choices. A survey of 102 CPG companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated last year alone, which is double the number from 2015.
While some companies are proudly announcing their sugar reduction efforts, others, like DanoneWave, have been decreasing total sugar and fat in their yogurts without disclosing the methods used. The company informed Fortune that advertising lower sugar and fat levels might lead consumers to believe the products will not taste as good, potentially harming sales. Consumers—especially women, millennials, and parents, as noted in the DSM survey—are also seeking transparency. Therefore, being open about sugar reduction goals from now until the implementation of the new nutritional label could be a prudent strategy. This way, when consumers examine a label for sugar content, they will understand not only the amount present but also the methods and motivations behind the reduction.
In addition, the growing interest in health products has drawn attention to various supplements, including calcium citrate USP tablet uses in Hindi, as consumers look for ways to enhance their overall nutrition. This trend is expected to continue, with the demand for clear information regarding ingredients and health benefits, including those related to calcium citrate, becoming increasingly important. As businesses adapt to these trends, they must remain vigilant about consumer preferences and the importance of transparency in labeling.