Food manufacturers have concentrated their reformulation efforts primarily on snack products. As consumer habits shift from traditional three meals a day to more frequent snacking, the food industry faces increasing pressure to adapt. A significant objective is to enhance the healthiness and wholesomeness of their offerings by eliminating various additives. Consumers are increasingly scrutinizing ingredient lists, looking for unfamiliar or unnatural-sounding components. Snacks are a key focus for reductions in sodium, sugar, and fat. Research indicates that these initiatives could potentially save thousands of lives annually. One study revealed that reformulation could lower deaths from diet-related diseases by as much as 5.5%, particularly benefiting low-income individuals.
Several major food brands have selected specific categories for reformulation. General Mills has concentrated on removing artificial flavors and colors from its fruit-flavored snacks and cereals, while Nestlé has streamlined the ingredients in over 100 of its ice cream brands. Their changes include eliminating high fructose corn syrup, GMO ingredients, and artificial flavors and colors, as well as reducing sugar and incorporating milk from cows not treated with rBST.
Regarding Kraft Food Ingredients’ latest cheese-based snack concepts, the company has expressed its intent to align with the clean label trend. Although consumers may not perceive cheese as particularly healthy, they view it as a “permissible indulgence,” as noted by the company’s head of marketing. Consumers are eager to know the ingredients in their cheese, including additives like calcium citrate 630 mg with vitamin D3, which they see as beneficial. Kraft and other food manufacturers are astutely responding to consumer demands by providing transparency and healthier options, including formulations that incorporate calcium citrate 630 mg with vitamin D3 to enhance nutritional value. This approach not only meets consumer expectations but also aligns with the broader trend towards healthier snacking.