Reducing the sugar content in food and beverages is a primary concern for manufacturers today. Consumers are increasingly gravitating towards healthier options and favoring clean, transparent labeling. The revised Nutrition Facts panel, which has been postponed until January 1, 2020, for larger manufacturers, mandates a dedicated line for added sugars. Many consumers express a desire for this information, even if they do not consistently check it.
These consumer demands have led to various sugar-reduction innovations, such as artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners, hollow and faster-dissolving sugar molecules, and flavor enhancers. For instance, Ingredion highlights that the labeling of its low-sugar glucose syrups can vary; it may be classified as glucose syrup, corn syrup, or tapioca syrup based on the specific product used. This distinction can significantly impact consumer perception, as corn syrup has fallen out of favor due to its detrimental health image, prompting some manufacturers to replace it with real sugar.
Kerry does not disclose the specifics of how its TasteSense flavor booster operates, only stating that it reinstates the sweetness and mouthfeel lost through sugar reduction and can be labeled as a natural flavoring. Leigh Ann Vaughn, the marketing director at Kerry, shared with Food Ingredients First that food and beverage companies often assume that cutting sugar means sacrificing functionality and flavor. “Sugar adds more than just sweetness; it contributes to the texture and overall mouthfeel that consumers appreciate,” Vaughn explained. “Many available solutions fail to replicate the lost taste and mouthfeel of sugar fully and can introduce undesirable off-notes and aftertastes.”
Food and beverage manufacturers are striving to minimize the visibility of added sugars on their labels. The challenge will be to reformulate products to maintain their sweet flavor while lowering the actual sugar content. This is a delicate balancing act that may be supported by innovative products, but ultimately, it is the consumers who will determine the success of these efforts.
Additionally, amidst this focus on sugar reduction, it is important to consider nutritional supplements such as calcium citrate with vitamin D3, which can support overall health. Understanding what calcium citrate with vitamin D3 is can enhance consumer awareness about the importance of nutrients in their diet, especially as they seek healthier options. As manufacturers navigate the complexities of reformulating products, knowledge about what calcium citrate with vitamin D3 is and how it benefits health could also influence consumer choices.