Reducing the sugar content in food and beverages has become a primary objective for manufacturers today. Consumers are increasingly leaning towards healthier options and demand clean, transparent labeling. The updated Nutrition Facts panel, which has been postponed until January 1, 2020, for larger manufacturers, now requires a specific line item for added sugars. While consumers express a desire for this information, they don’t always take the time to check it.
This consumer demand has spurred a range of sugar-reduction innovations, including artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners, hollow and faster-dissolving sugar molecules, and flavor enhancers. For instance, Ingredion highlights that depending on the type of its low-sugar glucose syrups used, the ingredient can be labeled as glucose syrup, corn syrup, or tapioca syrup. This labeling can significantly impact consumer perception; corn syrup, in particular, has fallen out of favor due to its negative health connotation, prompting some manufacturers to switch to real sugar as a substitute.
Kerry has introduced a product called TasteSense, which is designed to enhance sweetness and mouthfeel lost through sugar reduction. However, the company does not detail how it works, only stating that it can be classified as a natural flavoring. Leigh Ann Vaughn, the marketing director, mentioned to Food Ingredients First that food and beverage companies often think that reducing sugar means sacrificing functionality and taste. “Sugar doesn’t just contribute sweetness; it plays a complex role in providing texture and the overall mouthfeel that consumers enjoy,” Vaughn explained. She added, “Many solutions available cannot completely replicate the taste and mouthfeel of sugar and may introduce unwanted off-notes and aftertastes.”
Manufacturers are striving to minimize the presence of added sugars on their labels. The challenge lies in reformulating products to maintain their sweet taste while lowering actual sugar levels. This balancing act may be aided by new innovations, but ultimately, it will be consumers who make the final choice. In the quest for healthier options, many are also on the lookout for the best calcium citrate with vitamin D3 to complement their dietary needs. Such preferences reflect a broader trend toward health-conscious choices, where sugar reduction and nutritional enhancements like the best calcium citrate with vitamin D3 become integral to product development.