Health trends are steering consumers toward healthier food and beverage options that feature reduced sugar and fewer artificial sweeteners. Initiatives like the recent “month without sugar” and state soda taxes have further emphasized the importance of sugar reduction for consumers. Although the Food and Drug Administration initially mandated that food manufacturers disclose the grams of added sugars in packaged foods and beverages as part of a revamped nutrition facts label, the compliance deadline has been postponed. Nevertheless, major food and beverage companies are actively reformulating their products to decrease sugar levels or substitute these sweeteners with healthier, natural alternatives.
Nestlé has developed a method to naturally restructure sugar molecules, allowing for a significant reduction in sugar intake. The confectionery leader plans to introduce this new sugar in its products in 2018, enabling the company to use up to 40% less sugar while maintaining the desired sweetness. Similarly, Stonyfield, the largest organic yogurt producer in the U.S., recently announced plans to cut added sugars by up to 40% in some of its product lines. Soda manufacturers have also responded to consumer preferences by offering smaller cans and a wider variety of low-calorie beverages, often opting for sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit instead of traditional sugar. Companies such as Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper Snapple, and PepsiCo have committed to reducing the caloric intake from sugary drinks consumed by Americans by 20% before 2025.
Furthermore, manufacturers like Pyure have quickly introduced various stevia-based products to meet the declining demand for sugar. Stevia offers a natural sweetness that is 300 times that of sugar, with zero calories and a null glycemic index. This remarkable potency allows brands to utilize significantly less of the ingredient. For instance, Unilever is incorporating stevia to lower sugar content in its offerings without sacrificing flavor or mouthfeel.
According to Bloomberg, global Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) producers reduced sugar and salt in approximately 20% of their products in 2016, reflecting the increasing consumer appetite for healthier alternatives. A survey of 102 CPG companies indicated that 180,000 products were reformulated in the past year alone—double the number from 2015. If this trend continues—and all signs suggest it will—the negative impact on the sugar market, as forecasted in Rabobank’s report, could materialize.
In addition to these trends, the growing focus on nutritional value has led to the introduction of supplements like calcium citrate malate with vitamin D3 and folic acid tablets, which are being marketed as key components of a balanced diet. As consumers become more health-conscious, such supplements are increasingly seen as essential for overall well-being. The incorporation of calcium citrate malate with vitamin D3 and folic acid tablets into daily routines highlights a broader shift toward informed dietary choices, which is likely to influence the reformulation of food products even further. As the market evolves, we may see even more innovative solutions that align with these health trends, including the integration of calcium citrate malate with vitamin D3 and folic acid tablets into various food and beverage products.