how-do-manufacturers-make-sugar-reduction-technology-profitable?

How do manufacturers make sugar reduction technology cost-effective?

September 5, 2024

There are many reasons for reducing the sugar content of foods and beverages. Cost is one of the most important reasons.

You can also learn more about the following: Cost of sugarThe price of sugar has increased dramatically over the past year. Climate change is expected to cause this increase to continue. In some EU countries, a tax on foods and drinks high in fat, sugar and salt adds to the increased input costs of sugar.

As part of the Member State-led Sugar and Calorie Reduction Network, manufacturers are responding to EU calls to reduce the sugar content of foods and drinks to make them healthier.

Many manufacturers are reducing or eliminating sugar in an effort to achieve a more balanced budget. Sweeteners are often used to replace sugar in sweeteners..

A Nestlé spokesperson told FoodNavigator that the company is focused on increasing sales of its more nutritional products and improving the nutritional profile. We know that people want a balanced and tasty diet, which includes whole grains, fibre and other micronutrients as well as less salt, sugar and fat.

Nestlé has introduced a new sugar reduction technology across all categories to better meet consumer demands. The new technology reduces the intrinsic sugar content of ingredients such as malt, fruit juices, milk and other dairy products by 30% using an enzymatic process. The reduced sugar ingredients are used to create recipes for a variety of products. There is no need to use sweeteners or bulking agents to compensate for the sugar that has been removed.

Stefan Palzer is Nestlé’s Chief Technology Officer. “Reducing sugar across our entire portfolio remains a priority,” he says. “This new technology represents a real breakthrough because it allows us to reduce sugar while maintaining delicious taste at minimal cost.”

Here's what you need to do. innovationPromotion of Gut HealthAnother growing trend in food and beverage.

Palzer says, “Our scientists found that reducing sugar creates prebiotic fibers that support the microbiome. That’s an added benefit.”

Reduced sugar or sugar-free labels may not be popular with consumers. So does reducing sugar increase or destroy sales?

Sugar spoon Getty Images-Aphirak Thila
The WHO recommends that sugar-free products should not exceed 10 % of total daily energy intake for adults and children. While some European countries are close to meeting the target, others are not. GettyImages/Aphirak Thila

Are consumers interested in reduced sugar foods and beverages?

It may seem like a product with reduced sugar or no added sugar is a safe bet for the consumer, but in reality, it is much more complicated. Why? Many consumers do not want the government or food industries to decide their health for them. Self-determination theory is a good example. It analyzes human behavior and puts autonomy at the forefront.

A spokesperson for marketing firm Desert Dog said a company that offers a variety of products and allows customers to choose their options can create a sense of empowerment. This can help customers feel more empowered in their purchasing decisions.

It might make sense for brands to provide a variety of products to consumers, from those high in sugar to those without sugar.

This runs counter to messages from governments and health organisations to reduce sugar consumption.

The WHO recommends that free sugars should not exceed 10 % of total daily energy intake for adults and children. This is about 48 g per day. While some European countries are close to meeting their target, others are far from it.

According to Landgeist, a trend-mapping company, sugar consumption varies greatly from country to country. The chocolate capital, Belgium, consumes the most, at 48.3 kg per person, while Luxembourg consumes the least, at 10.8 kg.

What are free sugars?

Sugars that have been added to a beverage or food are called free sugars. Free sugars also refer to those found in foods such as honey, syrup, and fruit juice. Sugars are called "free" because they do not reside inside food cells.

Getty Images-Tara Moore Cake
Consumers don't like the idea of governments and food companies making sugar-related decisions for them. GettyImages/Tara Moore

To avoid consumer disapproval, one way to do this is to adopt “Health by Stealth.” This involves reducing the sugar content of products without this change being immediately apparent on the package label.

A spokesperson for the Food and Drink Federation said: "Companies have been working to reduce sugar in food and drink for many years. These reductions were not always clearly explained to consumers.

Yoplait recently reduced the sugar content of its children's yogurts. The brands have intentionally slowed down the reduction process to allow consumers to adapt without having to switch to sweeter products.

Ewa Muxham, marketing director at Yoplait UK, believes that the sugar reduction policy of recent years may have unintended consequences, such as encouraging children to replace healthy yoghurts with junk food.

There is a brand of donuts that does not contain HFSS. Urban legendIt is important to educate the customer and gain their trust, according to.

In the UK, Coca-Cola now sells a lot of sugar-free or low-sugar soft drinks. It was very different 20 or 30 years ago. Anthony Fletcher says that if you give a consumer a product that they're going to like and trust, then yes, people will want it.

It is also important for the industry to be aware of its own shortcomings. HealthYou can also learn more about the following: environmentThere are concerns associated with some of the most commonly used sweeteners on the market. There is a lot of bad news about sweeteners that can lead consumers to choose sugar over alternatives.

In short, reducing sugar content in foods and beverages is a minefield that brands must navigate with caution. Brands are also taking this issue seriously and innovating to find a solution.

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