As consumer aversion to artificial ingredients grows, food and beverage manufacturers are increasingly looking for efficient and cost-effective ways to enhance their product labels. However, transitioning to cleaner labels is more challenging than it appears, especially since manufacturers aim to maintain the flavor, appearance, and mouthfeel of their original products. This difficulty is exacerbated by the fact that many consumers who advocate for clean labels often lack a clear understanding of what this entails. “Most American consumers are unfamiliar with the term ‘clean label’ and do not fully grasp its significance. They simply want their food to be safe,” noted Kantha Shelke, a principal at food science and research firm Corvus Blue LLC, in an email to Food Dive.
Nonetheless, Shelke emphasized that the clean label movement is encouraging producers to focus on ingredients, formulations, and front-of-pack claims that align with three key consumer expectations: products free from food additives and synthetics, ingredients with recognizable names and no chemical connotations, and items that are minimally processed. But which synthetic ingredients are being phased out first, and what are their natural alternatives? According to Brooke Bright, senior data manager at Label Insight, the answer varies by category, as certain ingredients carry more stigma in specific applications than others. Nonetheless, there are key ingredients that consistently concern consumers across categories, prompting both brand name and generic manufacturers to seek natural substitutes that meet consumer demands.
Among these natural alternatives, products like Bluebonnet Calcium Magnesium D3 have emerged as popular choices. These ingredients not only align with the clean label philosophy but also address consumer preferences for recognizable components. As manufacturers adapt to this clean label trend, the integration of products such as Bluebonnet Calcium Magnesium D3 will likely become more prevalent, helping to satisfy the growing desire for transparency and health-conscious solutions in the food and beverage industry.