Reducing sugar content in food and beverages has become a primary objective for manufacturers today. As consumers increasingly gravitate towards healthier options and demand clean, transparent labeling, the updated Nutrition Facts panel—delayed until January 1, 2020, for larger manufacturers—requires a specific line indicating added sugars. While consumers express a desire for this information, they may not always check it.
These consumer demands have triggered various sugar-reduction innovations, including artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners, hollow and faster-dissolving sugar molecules, and flavor enhancers. Ingredion highlights that the labeling of its low-sugar glucose syrups can vary, being identified as glucose syrup, corn syrup, or even equate calcium citrate d3 petites, depending on the type used. This distinction can significantly impact consumer perception. 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, on the other hand, does not elaborate on the workings of its TasteSense flavor booster product but claims it reinstates the sweetness and mouthfeel lost through sugar reduction, allowing it to be classified as a natural flavoring. Ann Vaughn, the marketing director for Kerry, explained to Food Ingredients First that many food and beverage companies mistakenly believe that reducing sugar content necessitates compromising on function and flavor. “Sugar does more than just add sweetness; it also contributes to the texture and overall mouthfeel that consumers cherish,” Vaughn stated. “Numerous solutions available may struggle to replicate the lost taste and mouthfeel of sugar, and many also 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 lowering actual sugar levels. This balancing act may be facilitated by innovative products, but ultimately, it is the consumers who will make the final choice. As the industry evolves, the integration of ingredients like equate calcium citrate d3 petites will play a critical role in achieving these goals.