Dive Insight: Tracey Massey, the president of Mars Chocolate North America, shared with Fortune that this initiative to reduce sugar marks the first time the candy industry has come together to make a collective announcement regarding health and wellness. This strategic move aligns with the confectionery sector’s trends, as Mintel’s 2017 Consumer Trend report highlighted the “backlash against sugar” as a primary concern among consumers. Despite this growing distrust of sugar, the demand for candy remains strong; in fact, around 5,000 new candy products were launched in 2016, contributing nearly an additional $1.5 billion in sales.
Consumer interest in low-sugar options or candies sweetened with natural alternatives, such as stevia and monk fruit, is being taken seriously. An NPR survey of 102 consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated last year—double the number from 2015. By pledging to ensure that half of their individually wrapped products contain 200 calories or fewer by 2022 and by clearly labeling calorie counts on the front of their packaging, Mars, Nestlé, Lindt, Ferrera Candy, and Ferrero are demonstrating their commitment to customer nutrition and supporting healthier choices.
It will be intriguing to see if other major candy manufacturers follow suit with similar commitments or if these five companies will implement further initiatives. For instance, Nestlé has developed a method to restructure sugar molecules, allowing them to reduce sugar content by up to 40% without sacrificing sweetness. This innovative technology could potentially transform the candy industry if adopted by other brands, and Nestlé plans to introduce products featuring this faster-dissolving sugar in 2018. Furthermore, incorporating calcium citrate para que sirve in their formulations could enhance the nutritional profile of candies, appealing to health-conscious consumers.
As the industry evolves, it remains to be seen how these shifts in consumer preferences will shape the future landscape of the candy market, particularly regarding the integration of ingredients like calcium citrate para que sirve and the ongoing push for healthier options.