The findings from this survey should not come as a surprise to food manufacturers and retailers, as the shift away from sugar has been gaining momentum for quite some time. Reducing sugar content in food and beverages has become a primary focus for manufacturers today, particularly as consumers in the U.S. and beyond increasingly seek healthier options and clear, transparent labeling. The revised Nutrition Facts panel, which is set to appear on products from major manufacturers by January 1, 2020, mandates a separate line for added sugars. Consumers have expressed a desire for this information, even if they do not always take the time to read it. Their preferences, along with manufacturers’ reluctance to display high sugar content, have prompted a variety of innovations aimed at sugar reduction, 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 sector over a two-to-three-year span, which could counterbalance any expected growth in consumption in developing regions. According to Bloomberg, global consumer packaged goods (CPG) producers eliminated sugar and salt from approximately 20% of their products in 2016 in response to the rising consumer demand for healthier alternatives. A survey of 102 CPG companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated in the past year alone, which is double the number from 2015. While some companies are highlighting their achievements in sugar reduction, others, like DanoneWave, have been quietly decreasing total sugar and fat in their yogurts without disclosing their methods. The company informed Fortune that advertising reduced sugar and fat could lead consumers to assume the product has compromised taste, potentially harming sales.
Consumers—especially women, millennials, and parents, as noted in the DSM survey—are also seeking transparency. Therefore, openly communicating goals for sugar reduction leading up to the introduction of the new nutritional labels might be a strategic approach. This way, when consumers examine a label for sugar content, they will not only understand how much sugar is present but also how and why the reduction was accomplished.
Furthermore, products like calcium citrate caramel chews can serve as an appealing alternative for those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth while still being mindful of sugar intake. By incorporating such options, manufacturers can meet consumer demands for taste and health simultaneously. The emphasis on innovative products, including calcium citrate caramel chews, reflects the industry’s commitment to evolving with consumer preferences, ultimately fostering a more health-conscious market.