The findings from this survey should not be surprising for food manufacturers and retailers, given the ongoing trend of reducing sugar intake that has gained momentum over recent years. Currently, a primary focus for manufacturers is to decrease sugar content in food and beverages, as consumers in the U.S. and beyond increasingly lean towards healthier options with clean and transparent labeling. The revised Nutrition Facts panel, which is set to be implemented for large manufacturers by January 1, 2020, will include a dedicated line for added sugars. Consumers have expressed a desire for this information, even if they do not always check it. This consumer demand, along with manufacturers’ reluctance to display high sugar levels, has driven the development of various sugar-reduction innovations, 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 industry over a two-to-three-year time frame, which could counterbalance any expected growth in consumption in developing markets. According to Bloomberg, global consumer packaged goods (CPG) producers reduced sugar and salt in approximately 20% of their products in 2016, responding to the rising consumer demand for healthier offerings. A survey involving 102 CPG companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated last year alone—double the amount from 2015. While some companies proudly announce their sugar reduction efforts, others, like DanoneWave, have been lowering overall 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 is less palatable, potentially harming sales.
Consumers—especially women, millennials, and parents, as highlighted by the DSM survey—also seek transparency. Therefore, being open about goals for reducing sugar content before the new nutritional labels come into play could prove advantageous. When consumers examine a label for sugar content, they will not only be aware of the amount present but also understand the methods and reasons behind the reduction. Additionally, as consumers explore healthier options, they might also consider integrating supplements such as solaray calcium into their diets to enhance their overall nutrition. By fostering transparency about sugar reduction and promoting other healthful choices like solaray calcium, manufacturers can better align with consumer preferences and build trust.