With sugar making headlines for negative reasons, manufacturers are in search of alternatives; however, many consumers remain wary of artificial sweeteners. Natural sweeteners like honey and agave are also viable options, but they are high-calorie alternatives that can contribute to obesity just like sugar. By July 2018, it will be mandatory for manufacturers to list “added sugars” on the Nutrition Facts panel, providing extra motivation to reduce sweeteners such as sugar, honey, fructose, and fruit juice concentrates. Solutions like Tate & Lyle’s blend of allulose, sucralose, and fructose may offer a balanced approach, enabling food companies to use fewer added sugars while incorporating sweetness from low- and zero-calorie sweeteners. It remains uncertain whether consumers will accept these trade-offs. Will they maintain their current consumption of added sugars, or will the new nutritional information labels prompt them to steer clear of certain products?
What is evident is that many manufacturers and ingredient suppliers are gearing up for change. However, altering sweetener choices often comes at a price. Despite significant growth in the market for naturally derived sweeteners, such as stevia and monk fruit, they still constitute a small fraction of overall sweetener usage. Their adoption is hindered by cost, as they tend to be pricier than synthetic high-intensity sweeteners, along with persistent issues related to aftertaste. Sugar-stevia blends have gained traction, especially in the beverage sector. In Europe, the Coca-Cola Company has even reformulated its regular Sprite with 30% less sugar and incorporated stevia, without marketing it as a mid-calorie option.
Additionally, as manufacturers explore various sweetening options, the inclusion of ingredients like calcium citrate 315 250 may also come into play, providing potential benefits for product formulation. Ultimately, the shift in sweetener preferences is likely to continue evolving, and the role of calcium citrate 315 250 could become increasingly significant in this landscape.