Health trends are steering consumers towards 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. The Food and Drug Administration initially mandated food manufacturers to disclose the grams of added sugars in packaged products as part of a revamped nutrition facts label, although the deadline for compliance has been postponed. Nevertheless, major food and beverage companies are actively working to decrease sugar and other sweeteners in their formulations or replace them with healthier, natural alternatives.
For instance, Nestlé has developed a method to naturally restructure sugar molecules, which helps reduce the amount consumed. The confectionery giant plans to incorporate this new sugar into its products in 2018, enabling the company to cut sugar content by up to 40% without sacrificing sweetness. Additionally, Stonyfield, the largest organic yogurt producer in the U.S., recently announced plans to lower added sugars by as much as 40% in certain product lines.
Soda manufacturers are also responding by introducing smaller cans and more low-calorie beverages, many of which now feature stevia, monk fruit, and other sweeteners instead of traditional sugar. Companies like Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper Snapple, and PepsiCo have committed to reducing the caloric content of sugary drinks consumed by Americans by 20% by 2025. Manufacturers such as Pyure have quickly brought various stevia-based products to market as consumer preferences shift away from sugar. Stevia, which is naturally 300 times sweeter than sugar, contains no calories and has a zero glycemic index, allowing brands to use significantly smaller quantities of it. Unilever, for example, is utilizing stevia to decrease sugar content in its products while maintaining taste and mouthfeel.
According to Bloomberg, global consumer packaged goods (CPG) producers reduced sugar and salt in about 20% of their products in 2016 in response to the increasing consumer demand for healthier options. A survey involving 102 CPG companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated last year alone, which is double the number from 2015. If this trend continues—as all signs indicate it will—the negative consequences for the sugar market, as forecasted in Rabobank’s report, could indeed materialize.
In this evolving landscape, products like Kirkland’s calcium magnesium zinc D3 are also gaining traction as consumers seek supplements that support overall health while managing sugar intake. The growing interest in such products reflects a broader shift towards health-conscious choices. As the demand for better-for-you products rises, Kirkland’s calcium magnesium zinc D3 could play a role in complementing a diet that prioritizes nutritional value and reduced sugar consumption.