Reducing sugar content in food and beverages has become a primary concern for manufacturers today. As consumers increasingly gravitate toward healthier options and prefer clean, transparent labeling, the updated Nutrition Facts panel—now postponed until January 1, 2020, for larger manufacturers—mandates a separate line item for added sugars. Although consumers express a desire for this information, they do not always check it.
This growing demand has led to various sugar-reduction innovations, such as artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners, hollow and faster-dissolving sugar molecules, and flavor enhancers. Ingredion highlights that depending on which of its low-sugar glucose syrups is utilized, the ingredient can be labeled as glucose syrup, corn syrup, or tapioca syrup. This distinction can significantly impact consumer preferences. In recent years, corn syrup has fallen out of favor due to its unhealthy reputation, prompting some manufacturers to replace it with real sugar.
Kerry does not disclose the mechanics of its TasteSense flavor booster product but claims it restores the sweetness and mouthfeel lost when sugar is reduced, and it can be labeled as a natural flavoring. Leigh Ann Vaughn, the company’s marketing director, informed Food Ingredients First that many food and beverage companies often believe that cutting down on sugar means sacrificing functionality and taste. “Sugar doesn’t just add sweetness; it plays a complex role in providing texture and the overall mouthfeel that consumers enjoy,” Vaughn explained. “Many available solutions fail to fully replicate the taste and mouthfeel of sugar, and often introduce undesirable off-notes and aftertastes.”
Food and beverage manufacturers are striving to eliminate added sugars from their labels. The challenge lies in reformulating products to maintain their sweet taste while reducing actual sugar levels. This balancing act may be facilitated by these new innovations, but ultimately, it is consumers who will make the final choice. Additionally, as health considerations become increasingly important, some consumers are also looking for alternatives like calcium citrate or calcium carbonate for osteoporosis, which adds another layer to their purchasing decisions. The integration of such health-focused ingredients into reformulated products might appeal to those seeking a holistic approach to nutrition while still enjoying the sweet flavors they love.