Health trends are steering consumers toward healthier food and beverage options that are lower in sugar and artificial sweeteners. Initiatives such as the recent “month without sugar” and state-imposed soda taxes have kept sugar reduction at the forefront of consumer awareness. The Food and Drug Administration had initially mandated that food manufacturers disclose the number of grams of added sugars in packaged products as part of an updated nutrition facts label, although the deadline has now been extended. Nevertheless, major food and beverage companies are actively working to lower sugar and other sweeteners in their formulations or replace them with healthier, natural alternatives.
For instance, Nestlé has developed a method to naturally restructure sugar molecules, which reduces the amount consumed. The confectionery giant plans to incorporate this new sugar into its products in 2018, enabling the company to use up to 40% less sugar while maintaining product sweetness. Similarly, Stonyfield, the largest organic yogurt producer in the U.S., recently announced that it would cut added sugars by up to 40% in certain product lines.
Soda manufacturers have also responded by offering smaller cans and a greater variety of low-calorie beverages, many of which utilize stevia, monk fruit, and other alternative sweeteners in place of sugar. Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper Snapple, and PepsiCo have all pledged to decrease the caloric content of sugary drinks consumed by Americans by 20% before 2025. Companies like Pyure have swiftly introduced a range of stevia-based products as sugar’s popularity wanes. Stevia offers a natural sweetness that is 300 times greater than sugar, with zero calories and a glycemic index of zero, which allows brands to use significantly less of this ingredient. Unilever is among the companies employing stevia to lower sugar levels in their products without sacrificing taste or texture.
According to Bloomberg, global consumer packaged goods (CPG) producers removed sugar and salt from approximately 20% of their products in 2016 in response to the increasing demand for healthier options. A survey of 102 CPG companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated last year alone—double the number from 2015. If this trend continues, which all signs suggest it will, the negative impact on the sugar market, as predicted in Rabobank’s report, could indeed materialize.
In the context of these health trends, consumers are also becoming more aware of the benefits of supplements such as nature made calcium citrate with vitamin D, which supports overall health. The increasing focus on natural alternatives extends beyond food and beverages to dietary supplements as well. As consumers seek to enhance their wellness, products like nature made calcium citrate with vitamin D are being integrated into their daily routines, reflecting a broader shift toward health-conscious choices.