Dive Insight: Tracey Massey, president of Mars Chocolate North America, shared with Fortune that the candy industry’s commitment to sugar reduction marks a historic moment in collective efforts toward health and wellness. This proactive approach is particularly timely, as Mintel’s 2017 Consumer Trend report identified a significant “backlash against sugar.” Despite rising consumer skepticism toward sugar, the demand for candy remains strong, with approximately 5,000 new candy products launched in 2016, contributing nearly $1.5 billion to sales.
Moreover, there is a growing consumer preference for low-sugar options or candies sweetened with natural alternatives like stevia and monk fruit. A survey conducted by NPR involving 102 CPG companies revealed that last year, 180,000 products were reformulated—double the number from 2015. By pledging that half of their individually wrapped products will contain 200 calories or fewer by 2022, and by clearly labeling calories on packaging, companies like Mars, Nestle, Lindt, Ferrera Candy, and Ferrero are demonstrating their commitment to consumer nutrition and healthier choices.
It will be intriguing to observe whether other major candy manufacturers will follow suit or if these five companies will introduce further initiatives. Notably, Nestle has innovated a technique to restructure the sugar molecule, allowing for up to 40% less sugar in their products without sacrificing sweetness. If widely adopted, this technology could reshape the candy industry, with Nestle set to launch products featuring this faster-dissolving sugar in 2018.
In the context of health, consumers often wonder about the implications of various ingredients, such as calcium citrate. While it’s generally regarded as safe, potential users may ask, “does calcium citrate have side effects?” This question illustrates the increasing consumer awareness surrounding nutritional additives. As the candy industry navigates these changes, it will be essential to address such concerns to sustain consumer trust and interest in their products.