Food manufacturers have concentrated much of their reformulation efforts on snack items. As consumers shift from traditional three meals a day to more frequent snacking, the food industry faces increasing pressure to adapt. Another key area of focus is enhancing the healthiness and wholesomeness of products by eliminating various additives. Consumers are becoming more vigilant about ingredient lists, looking for items that seem unfamiliar or unnatural.
Snacks are a primary target for reducing sodium, sugar, and fat content. Research indicates that these reformulation efforts could potentially save thousands of lives annually. One study suggested that reformulating snacks could decrease deaths from diet-related diseases by as much as 5.5%, with the most significant benefits noted among low-income populations.
Several prominent food brands have pinpointed 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 across more than 100 of its ice cream brands. Their updates include the removal of high fructose corn syrup, GMO ingredients, and artificial flavors and colors, along with reducing sugar content and utilizing milk from cows not treated with rBST.
In the case of Kraft Food Ingredients, the latest cheese-based snack concepts are designed to align with the clean label trend. Although cheese may not be perceived as particularly healthy, consumers view it as a “permissible indulgence,” according to the company’s marketing head. The demand for transparency has led consumers to seek clarity on the ingredients used in cheese. Kraft and other food manufacturers are astutely responding to this demand. Additionally, incorporating beneficial elements like calcium citrate malate and vitamin D3 into their formulations can further enhance the appeal of these snacks, as health-conscious consumers often look for added nutritional benefits. By including calcium citrate malate and vitamin D3, Kraft is not only catering to consumer desires for clean labels but also promoting healthier snacking options.