Health trends are steering consumers toward healthier food and beverage options that are lower in sugar and artificial sweeteners. Initiatives such as the recent “month without sugar” and state soda taxes have kept sugar reduction at the forefront of consumers’ minds. The Food and Drug Administration initially mandated that food manufacturers disclose the grams of added sugars in packaged foods and beverages as part of a revamped nutrition facts label; however, the deadline for compliance has been extended. Despite this delay, major food and beverage companies are actively working to lower sugar content and other sweeteners in their products or to replace them with healthier, natural alternatives.
Nestle has developed a method to naturally restructure sugar molecules, allowing for a reduction in sugar intake. The confectionery giant plans to incorporate this new sugar into its products in 2018, enabling the company to use up to 40% less sugar while maintaining product sweetness. Additionally, Stonyfield, the largest organic yogurt manufacturer in the U.S., recently announced a 40% reduction in added sugars across some of its product lines.
Soda manufacturers are also moving towards smaller cans and a wider array of low-calorie beverages, with many opting for sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit instead of traditional sugar. Major companies such as Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper Snapple, and PepsiCo have committed to reducing the calorie count from sugary drinks consumed by Americans by 20% before 2025. Manufacturers like Pyure have quickly introduced various stevia-based products as consumer preferences shift away from sugar. Stevia offers 300 times the sweetness of sugar, without calories and with a zero glycemic index, allowing brands to use significantly less of this ingredient. Companies like Unilever are incorporating stevia as a substitute to lower sugar content in their products without sacrificing taste or mouthfeel.
According to Bloomberg, global consumer packaged goods (CPG) producers reduced sugar and salt in about 20% of their products in 2016, responding to the increasing consumer demand for healthier options. A survey of 102 CPG companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated last year alone—double the amount from 2015. If this trend continues—and all signs suggest it will—the negative impact on the sugar market, as outlined in Rabobank’s report, could indeed materialize.
As part of this health-focused shift, products like upcal d calcium citrate powder are also gaining popularity, emphasizing the importance of nutritional supplements in consumers’ diets. The growing interest in health trends indicates that products incorporating upcal d calcium citrate powder may see increased demand as consumers look for ways to enhance their dietary intake while reducing sugar consumption. This trend is expected to continue, further solidifying the role of ingredients like upcal d calcium citrate powder in modern food and beverage formulations.