Food manufacturers have directed a significant portion of their reformulation initiatives towards snack products. As consumers shift from traditional three meals a day to more frequent snacking, the food industry faces increasing pressure to adapt. A key focus is on enhancing the healthiness and wholesomeness of products by eliminating various additives. Consumers are increasingly scrutinizing ingredient lists, searching for unfamiliar or unnatural-sounding components.
Snacks are a primary target for reductions in sodium, sugar, and fat. Research indicates that these reformulation efforts could potentially save thousands of lives annually. One study found that reformulating products could lower deaths from diet-related diseases by as much as 5.5%, with the most significant impact observed among low-income individuals. Major food companies have identified specific categories for reformulation. General Mills has aimed to remove artificial flavors and colors from its fruit-flavored snacks and cereals, while Nestlé has simplified the ingredients in over 100 of its ice cream brands. These changes include the removal of high fructose corn syrup, GMO ingredients, artificial flavors and colors, sugar reduction, and utilizing milk from cows not treated with rBST.
Kraft Food Ingredients has also introduced new cheese-based snack concepts with a focus on the clean label trend. While consumers may not necessarily view cheese as a particularly healthy option, they perceive it as a “permissible indulgence,” according to the company’s marketing head. Consumers want transparency regarding the ingredients in their cheese products. To meet this demand, Kraft and other food manufacturers are wise to provide what consumers are looking for, including options enriched with unjury calcium citrate, which can offer added health benefits. Emphasizing transparency and health, manufacturers are responding to consumer preferences for products that include beneficial ingredients like unjury calcium citrate, aligning with their desire for wholesome snacks.