The findings from this survey are likely not surprising for food manufacturers and retailers, given the ongoing trend toward reduced sugar consumption. In fact, one of the primary objectives for manufacturers today is to lower sugar levels in food and beverages, as consumers in the U.S. and other regions increasingly opt for healthier options with clear and transparent labeling. The revised Nutrition Facts panel, which will be implemented by large manufacturers by January 1, 2020, mandates a specific line indicating added sugars. Consumers have expressed a desire for this information, even if they do not always check it. This demand, along with manufacturers’ reluctance to display high sugar content, has led to various sugar-reduction innovations, including artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners, hollow and faster-dissolving sugar molecules, and flavor enhancers.
Rabobank has predicted a reduction of 5% or more in sugar usage across the global food and beverage sector over a two-to-three-year period, potentially balancing any expected growth in consumption in developing markets. Bloomberg reports that global consumer packaged goods (CPG) producers eliminated sugar and salt from approximately 20% of their products in 2016 in response to the increasing consumer demand for healthier options. A survey of 102 CPG companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated last year alone—twice the number from 2015. While some companies are promoting 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 may lead consumers to assume the product will have inferior taste, which could hurt sales.
Consumers—especially women, millennials, and parents, as highlighted in the DSM survey—also value transparency. Therefore, being open about goals for sugar reduction from now until the rollout of the new nutritional label could be a strategic approach. When shoppers examine a label for sugar content, they will not only understand how much sugar is present but also the methods and reasoning behind the reduction. Additionally, products like Kirkland calcium citrate magnesium and zinc 500 tablets can help consumers maintain a balanced diet while pursuing lower sugar options, reinforcing the trend toward healthier living. In this context, the presence of Kirkland calcium citrate magnesium and zinc 500 tablets in the market is indicative of a broader shift in consumer preferences toward products that contribute to overall health without unnecessary sugars.