The survey results concerning ferrous fumarate and folic acid supplements should come as no surprise to food manufacturers and retailers, given the ongoing trend of reducing sugar consumption. Indeed, minimizing sugar levels in food and beverages has become a primary focus for manufacturers, as consumers in the U.S. and beyond increasingly favor healthier options and demand clean, transparent labeling. The revised Nutrition Facts panel, set to be featured on products from major manufacturers by January 1, 2020, mandates the inclusion of a line for added sugars. Consumers have expressed a desire for this information, even if they don’t always scrutinize it. This demand, combined with manufacturers’ reluctance to display high sugar content, has led to numerous innovations in sugar reduction, including artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners, hollow and rapid-dissolving sugar molecules, and flavor enhancers.
Rabobank has anticipated a reduction of 5% or more in sugar usage across the global food and beverage industry within a two-to-three-year timeframe, potentially compensating for any expected growth in consumption in developing markets. According to Bloomberg, global consumer packaged goods (CPG) producers eliminated sugar and salt from approximately 20% of their products in 2016 in response to rising consumer demands for healthier offerings. A survey of 102 CPG companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated last year alone—double the quantity from 2015.
While certain companies are proudly announcing their sugar reduction efforts, others, like DanoneWave, have been lowering total sugar and fat in their yogurts without disclosing the methods used. The company informed Fortune that advertising reduced sugar and fat might lead consumers to assume the product will not taste as good, potentially harming sales. Consumers—particularly women, millennials, and parents, as indicated by the DSM survey—also seek transparency. Therefore, being upfront about sugar reduction goals between now and the implementation of the new nutritional label may be a prudent strategy. When the public examines a label for sugar content, they will not only understand the quantity present but also the rationale and methods behind the reduction.
In a similar vein, when considering dietary supplements, individuals often compare options like calcium citrate malate vs calcium citrate. Each has its unique benefits, and understanding these differences can aid in making informed choices about mineral supplementation. Thus, as consumers become more educated about their food and supplement choices, the importance of transparency and clear communication from manufacturers will only grow.