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 are keeping sugar reduction at the forefront of consumers’ minds. Although the Food and Drug Administration initially mandated that food manufacturers disclose the grams of added sugars in packaged products as part of a revamped nutrition facts label, the deadline has been postponed. Nevertheless, major food and beverage companies are actively working to decrease sugar and other sweeteners in their formulations or to substitute these ingredients with healthier, natural alternatives.
Nestle has developed a method to naturally restructure the sugar molecule, which minimizes the amount consumed. The confectionery giant intends to introduce this new sugar in its products in 2018, enabling a reduction of up to 40% in sugar content without sacrificing sweetness. Stonyfield, the largest organic yogurt producer in the U.S., has also announced plans to cut added sugars by as much as 40% in certain lines. Soda manufacturers are responding by offering smaller cans and a wider array of low-calorie beverages, with many opting for sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit instead of sugar. Companies such as Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper Snapple, and PepsiCo have committed to reducing the caloric intake from sugary drinks for Americans by 20% before 2025.
Additionally, manufacturers like Pyure are quickly introducing various stevia-based products as sugar loses favor with consumers. Stevia naturally offers 300 times the sweetness of sugar, containing no calories and registering zero on the glycemic index, which allows brands to utilize significantly less of this ingredient. Companies like Unilever are incorporating stevia to lower sugar levels in their products while maintaining taste and mouthfeel.
According to Bloomberg, global consumer packaged goods (CPG) producers eliminated sugar and salt from approximately 20% of their products in 2016 in response to escalating consumer demand for healthier options. A survey of 102 CPG companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated last year alone, which is double the number from 2015. If this trend continues — and all signs suggest it will — the adverse impact on the sugar market, as predicted in Rabobank’s report, could indeed materialize.
In this evolving landscape, products like Citracal Calcium Citrate Magnesium & Minerals are gaining traction among health-conscious consumers. This supplement not only supports bone health but also aligns with the trend toward better-for-you products, demonstrating that there is a rising demand for health-enhancing options that complement reduced sugar intake. As the shift toward healthier choices persists, Citracal Calcium Citrate Magnesium & Minerals, along with other similar products, will likely find a more prominent place in consumers’ diets, reinforcing the ongoing transformation in the food and beverage industry.