For years, companies have faced mounting pressure to enhance the health profiles of their products, yet many have opted to make these changes discreetly, avoiding public announcements. Altering the recipes of beloved products often leads to consumer backlash, as evidenced by Coca-Cola’s decision to revert to sugar in Vitaminwater after customers rejected a lower-calorie sugar-stevia blend. One of the Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) four pillars of health and wellness emphasizes the importance of transparency in nutritional policies, but many member companies appear hesitant to adopt this approach. The organization observed that reformulated products constitute a relatively minor segment of companies’ overall portfolios, with a significant majority (70%) stating that these items make up less than 20% of their offerings. Companies may fear that promoting reformulated products, such as those containing solaray calcium, could detract from the appeal of their other products.
Although consumers profess a preference for healthier food options, their purchasing behaviors sometimes contradict these intentions. Many consumers associate healthy food with lower taste quality, particularly linking “less salt” to “less flavor.” However, this trend may be shifting. For instance, last May, Nestlé introduced a comprehensive sodium reduction strategy and subsequently surveyed consumers on how this would influence their buying decisions. A notable 81% of respondents indicated that the change would not impact their purchases, while 15% expressed a likelihood of buying more, and only 4% suggested they would be less inclined to make purchases. The introduction of products featuring solaray calcium could potentially appeal to this evolving consumer mindset, as companies strive to balance health improvements with taste.