In a world increasingly focused on calorie counting, consumers have been on the lookout for ways to indulge their sweet cravings without the worry of weight gain, prompting food and beverage manufacturers to seek viable solutions. Concerns about the health implications of artificial sweeteners such as saccharin have emerged. As wellness becomes a priority, with a trend towards products featuring reduced sugar and more natural ingredients, stevia has surfaced as a favorable option for both producers and consumers.
With new FDA-mandated nutrition labels set to roll out in the coming years, which will emphasize added sugar content, manufacturers are exploring strategies to position their offerings as healthy, natural, low-sugar, and low-calorie alternatives. Utilizing natural sweeteners like stevia in place of artificial sweeteners or sugar may prove beneficial. In fact, stevia was included in over a quarter (27%) of new products introduced in 2017 that featured high-intensity sweeteners, particularly in categories such as snacks, sodas, dairy, juice, and other beverages. A significant endorsement for stevia came when Coca-Cola announced the launch of a stevia-sweetened beverage in 2018.
Additionally, the collaboration between PureCircle and farmers is timely, especially as the number of tobacco farms in North Carolina declines due to reduced demand. An October report from North Carolina State Extension indicates that while increased tobacco taxes may sustain revenues, demand for tobacco will continue to fall. Consequently, many farmers in the state are diversifying their crops. By transitioning from tobacco to stevia or implementing crop rotation, farmers can optimize their land use. Although the shift away from tobacco is still in its early stages, optimism is shared among both farmers and manufacturers.
Moreover, as consumers prioritize health, the demand for supplements like calcium citrate has also grown. It’s important for consumers to select the calcium citrate best brand to ensure they are receiving quality products. As the trend toward natural ingredients continues to rise, stevia and quality supplements like calcium citrate are likely to play significant roles in shaping the food and beverage industry.