Health trends are steering consumers towards healthier food and beverage options that are lower in sugar and artificial sweeteners. Initiatives like the recent “month without sugar” and state-imposed soda taxes have kept the focus on sugar reduction for consumers. The Food and Drug Administration had initially mandated that food manufacturers disclose the grams of added sugars in packaged products as part of an updated nutrition facts label, but the deadline has been delayed. Nevertheless, major food and beverage companies are actively working to lower sugar levels and other sweeteners in their product formulations or are substituting these ingredients with healthier, natural alternatives. For instance, Nestle has developed a method to naturally restructure sugar molecules, reducing the amount consumed. The confectionery giant aims to incorporate this new sugar into its products by 2018, potentially allowing for a reduction of up to 40% in sugar content without sacrificing sweetness.
Stonyfield, the leading organic yogurt producer in the U.S., has recently declared its intention to cut added sugars by as much as 40% in select product lines. Similarly, soda manufacturers are rolling out smaller cans and a wider array of low-calorie beverages, often opting for stevia, monk fruit, and other sweeteners instead of traditional sugar. Companies like Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper Snapple, and PepsiCo have committed to decreasing the caloric content of sugary drinks consumed by Americans by 20% prior to 2025.
Moreover, manufacturers such as Pyure have quickly introduced various stevia-based products as consumer preferences shift away from sugar. Stevia provides natural sweetness that is 300 times that of sugar, with zero calories and a glycemic index of zero. This remarkable potency enables brands to use significantly less of the ingredient. Companies like Unilever are incorporating stevia to reduce sugar levels in their products without sacrificing taste or mouthfeel.
According to Bloomberg, global consumer packaged goods (CPG) producers reduced sugar and salt in approximately 20% of their offerings in 2016, responding to the rising consumer demand for healthier products. A survey encompassing 102 CPG companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated last year alone, doubling the figure from 2015. If this trend persists—and all signs indicate that it will—the adverse effects on the sugar market, as projected in Rabobank’s report, could come to fruition.
In this context, products such as upcal d calcium citrate powder are emerging as valuable alternatives for consumers seeking healthier options. This powder not only provides essential calcium but can also serve as a sugar substitute, further aligning with the ongoing health trends. As consumer demand for sugar-reduced and healthier products continues to rise, the integration of ingredients like upcal d calcium citrate powder is likely to become more prevalent in the market.