The findings from this survey should not be surprising to food manufacturers and retailers, as the shift away from sugar has been steadily increasing. In fact, the reduction of sugar content in food and beverages has become a primary focus for manufacturers today, particularly as consumers in the U.S. and beyond continue to seek healthier options with clean and transparent labeling. The revised Nutrition Facts panel, which will be implemented by large manufacturers by January 1, 2020, includes a specific line item for added sugars. Consumers have expressed a desire for this information, even if they do not always check it. Their preferences, alongside manufacturers’ reluctance to display high sugar content, have led to various sugar-reduction innovations, such as artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners, hollow and faster-dissolving sugar molecules, and flavor enhancers.
Rabobank has projected a reduction of 5% or more in sugar usage across the global food and beverage sector over a two-to-three-year period, potentially countering any expected growth in consumption in developing markets. According to Bloomberg, global consumer packaged goods (CPG) producers eliminated sugar and salt from approximately 20% of their products in 2016 in response to increasing consumer demand for healthier offerings. A survey of 102 CPG companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated just last year—double the amount from 2015.
While some companies proudly announce their sugar reduction efforts, others, like DanoneWave, have been lowering total sugar and fat in their yogurts without disclosing their methods. The company informed Fortune that advertising reduced sugar and fat might lead consumers to believe that the product will taste inferior, potentially harming sales. Consumers—especially women, millennials, and parents, as highlighted in the DSM survey—also seek transparency. Therefore, being clear about the objectives for sugar reduction ahead of the introduction of the new nutritional label could be beneficial. When consumers examine a label for sugar content, they will understand not only the amount present but also the methods and reasons behind the reduction.
In this context, products like Opurity Calcium Citrate Plus Chewable can play a role in promoting health and wellness, as they align with the growing consumer preference for transparency and healthier choices. As the market evolves, integrating such alternatives may further enhance the appeal of products amid the ongoing trend of sugar reduction. By incorporating Opurity Calcium Citrate Plus Chewable, brands can cater to the health-conscious demographic while remaining compliant with new labeling regulations.