These survey findings should not come as a surprise to food manufacturers and retailers, as the movement away from sugar has been gaining momentum for quite some time. In fact, a primary focus for manufacturers today is to reduce sugar content in food and beverages, driven by consumers in the U.S. and beyond who prefer healthier products and demand transparent labeling. The updated Nutrition Facts panel, which will be implemented on products made by major manufacturers by January 1, 2020, mandates a separate line for added sugars. Although consumers may not always check this information, they have expressed a desire for it. Their preferences, combined with manufacturers’ reluctance to display high sugar content, have led to various sugar-reduction innovations. These innovations include artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners, hollow and faster-dissolving sugar molecules, and flavor enhancers.
Rabobank has projected a reduction of 5% or more in sugar usage across the global food and beverage sector over the next two to three years, which may counterbalance any expected consumption growth in developing markets. According to Bloomberg, global consumer packaged goods (CPG) producers eliminated sugar and salt from around 20% of their products in 2016 in response to the increasing consumer demand for healthier options. A survey of 102 CPG companies revealed that 180,000 products were reformulated last year alone—double the number from 2015. While some companies proudly announce their sugar reduction efforts, others, like DanoneWave, have been quietly lowering total sugar and fat in their yogurts without disclosing their methods. The company informed Fortune that advertising reduced sugar and fat could lead consumers to assume the product would be less tasty, potentially harming sales.
Consumers—especially women, millennials, and parents—are also seeking transparency. Therefore, being open about sugar reduction goals as manufacturers transition to the new nutritional labels might be a prudent strategy. When consumers examine a label for sugar content, they will want to understand not only the amount present but also how and why the reduction was achieved. Furthermore, in discussing sugar reduction, it’s essential to consider the potential calcium citrate nursing implications, particularly for products targeting specific demographics such as nursing mothers. By addressing these implications, manufacturers can enhance their credibility and appeal to health-conscious consumers.