The findings from this survey should not come as a surprise to food manufacturers and retailers, given the ongoing trend of consumers moving away from sugar. In fact, reducing sugar content in food and beverages has become a primary focus for manufacturers, as consumers in the U.S. and beyond increasingly favor healthier options with clean and transparent labeling. The revised Nutrition Facts panel, which large manufacturers are required to implement by January 1, 2020, includes a specific line for added sugars. Consumers have expressed a desire for this information, even if they don’t always check it. Their preferences, along with manufacturers’ reluctance to display high sugar levels, have led to various sugar-reduction innovations, such as artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners, hollow and rapidly dissolving sugar molecules, and flavor enhancers.
Rabobank has anticipated a reduction of 5% or more in sugar usage across the global food and beverage sector over a two- to three-year span, which could counterbalance projected growth in consumption within developing markets. According to Bloomberg, global consumer packaged goods (CPG) producers eliminated sugar and salt from roughly 20% of their products in 2016 to meet the rising consumer demand for healthier alternatives. A survey of 102 CPG companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated last year alone, double the number from 2015.
While some companies proudly announce their sugar reduction efforts, others—such as DanoneWave—have been quietly decreasing 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 assume the product will lack flavor, potentially harming sales.
Moreover, consumers—especially women, millennials, and parents, as highlighted in the DSM survey—are seeking transparency. Thus, being open about the goals for sugar reduction leading up to the adoption of the new nutritional labels could be a strategic approach. When consumers examine a label for sugar content, they will not only understand how much sugar is present but also the methods and rationale behind the reduction. Additionally, this transparency could extend to products like Citracal Calcium Maximum Plus, as consumers increasingly look for clear information regarding health benefits and ingredient choices.