The findings of 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 levels in food and beverages has become a primary focus for manufacturers, especially as consumers in the U.S. and beyond increasingly favor healthier options and transparent labeling. The revised Nutrition Facts panel, which will be mandatory on products from large manufacturers by January 1, 2020, includes a specific line for added sugars. Consumers have expressed a desire for this information, even if they don’t always check it. This demand, alongside manufacturers’ reluctance to display high sugar content, has led to various innovations in sugar reduction, including the use of artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners, hollow and rapidly dissolving sugar molecules, and flavor enhancers.
Rabobank predicts a reduction of 5% or more in sugar usage across the global food and beverage industry over the next two to three years, potentially countering any expected growth in consumption within developing markets. According to Bloomberg, global consumer packaged goods (CPG) producers eliminated sugar and salt from around 20% of their products in 2016 in response to the rising consumer demand for healthier choices. A survey of 102 CPG companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated last year alone, which is double the number from 2015.
While some companies are promoting their sugar reduction efforts, others, like DanoneWave, have been decreasing total sugar and fat in their yogurts without disclosing the methods used. The company informed Fortune that advertising reduced sugar and fat could lead consumers to assume the product would lack flavor, potentially harming sales. Furthermore, consumers—especially women, millennials, and parents, as highlighted by the DSM survey—are seeking transparency. Therefore, being open about their goals for sugar reduction leading up to the implementation of the new nutritional label could be a smart strategy. When consumers examine labels for sugar content, they will not only understand the quantity but also the methods and rationale behind the reduction.
In this context, incorporating elements such as calcium citrate 800 mg into product formulations could also resonate well with health-conscious consumers. By highlighting the presence of beneficial ingredients like calcium citrate 800 mg, manufacturers can further enhance the appeal of their products, making them not just lower in sugar but also fortified with essential nutrients, thereby addressing the growing demand for healthier food options.