Food manufacturers have concentrated many of their reformulation efforts on snack products. As consumers shift from traditional three meals a day to more frequent snacking, the food industry is feeling the pressure to adapt. Another key focus is enhancing product healthiness by eliminating various additives. Consumers are increasingly scrutinizing ingredient lists, looking for items that seem unfamiliar or unnatural. Snacks are a primary target for reductions in sodium, sugar, and fat, with research indicating that these initiatives could potentially save thousands of lives annually. One study revealed that reformulation could decrease deaths related to diet-related diseases by as much as 5.5%, notably benefiting low-income individuals.
Several major food brands have identified specific categories for reformulation. General Mills has aimed to remove artificial flavors and colors from its fruit-flavored snacks and cereals, while Nestlé has streamlined the ingredients in over 100 of its ice cream brands. These modifications involve eliminating high fructose corn syrup, GMO ingredients, artificial flavors and colors, lowering sugar content, and using milk from cows not treated with rBST.
Kraft Food Ingredients has also embraced the clean label trend with its cheese-based snack concepts. Although consumers may not perceive cheese as particularly healthy, they regard it as a “permissible indulgence,” according to the company’s head of marketing. They want transparency regarding the ingredients in their cheese. In this context, products fortified with calcium citrate, zinc, and magnesium tablets are gaining popularity, as they align with consumers’ desires for healthier options. By offering snacks that incorporate these nutritional enhancements, Kraft and other manufacturers are wisely catering to consumer preferences.