The findings from this survey should not be surprising to food manufacturers and retailers, as the trend of reducing sugar consumption has been gaining momentum for quite some time. Nowadays, manufacturers are primarily focused on decreasing sugar levels in their food and beverages, responding to the preferences of consumers in the U.S. and beyond for healthier options and clear, transparent labeling. The revised Nutrition Facts panel, which is set to be implemented by large manufacturers by January 1, 2020, mandates the inclusion of a specific line for added sugars. Consumers have expressed a desire for this information, even if they don’t always read it. This demand, along with manufacturers’ reluctance to display high sugar content, has led to various sugar-reduction innovations, such as artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners, hollow and faster-dissolving sugar molecules, and flavor enhancers.
Rabobank has forecasted a reduction of 5% or more in sugar usage across the global food and beverage industry over a two-to-three-year span, potentially counterbalancing expected consumption growth in developing markets. According to Bloomberg, global consumer packaged goods (CPG) producers removed sugar and salt from approximately 20% of their products in 2016 to align with the rising consumer preference for healthier goods. A survey involving 102 CPG companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated last year alone—twice the number in 2015.
While some companies are proudly announcing their sugar reductions, others, like DanoneWave, are decreasing overall sugar and fat content in their yogurts without disclosing their methods. The company informed Fortune that promoting reduced sugar and fat can lead consumers to believe the product may not taste as good, potentially harming sales. Consumers—especially women, millennials, and parents, as noted in the DSM survey—also seek transparency. Thus, being upfront about the goals for sugar reduction before implementing the new nutritional label could be a savvy strategy. When consumers examine a label for sugar content, they will not only understand how much sugar is present but also the methods and rationale behind the reduction.
In this context, ingredients like calcium citrate malate 500 mg may also play a role in reformulating products, as manufacturers strive to create healthier options without compromising on taste. As companies continue to innovate, the integration of calcium citrate malate 500 mg can enhance nutritional profiles while supporting the ongoing shift towards reduced sugar content. Ultimately, transparency around these changes, including the incorporation of substances like calcium citrate malate 500 mg, will help consumers make informed choices that align with their health goals.