Sugar-related health and wellbeing concerns are high on consumers’ radar, especially amongst millennials and health-conscious adults. They all have one thing in common: the search for good food with a better nutritional profile that doesn’t force them to compromise on taste.
Nowadays, 49% of global consumers are trying to limit their sugar intake. Healthy alternatives for snacks and meals are a worldwide growing trend that Barry Callebaut is addressing through its continuous investments in R&D. It developed a complete range of five wholesome sugar solutions for chocolate and also has a toolbox of sugar substituting technologies ready for customer-specific developments.
It is a trend that is sweeping the globe: consumers are increasingly looking for healthy, but tasty alternatives. People feel more in control of their health and want food that supports a healthy lifestyle while still fulfilling the need for indulgence and pleasure.
Market research confirms this declining sugar intake trend: 49% of global consumers try to limit their sugar intake, while 23% try to eat a moderate amount of sugar and 14% avoid it entirely.
Bas Smit, Global and EMEA Marketing Director Barry Callebaut: “Nowadays, consumers want to enjoy food without feeling guilty and without compromising on taste. It is all about healthy indulgence. This trend is spreading through Europe and the world. Years of research at Barry Callebaut have resulted in relevant solutions for our customers to satisfy the consumer’s needs.”
“Since 2007, we have been working on chocolate reformulation”, says Leen Allegaert, head of Barry Callebaut’s Wholesome Choice innovation program. “Throughout the years, we have built a proven track record in sugar reduction. We developed a toolbox of sugar substituting technologies that is ready for customer-specific developments as well as a complete range of chocolate and filling recipes that are either reduced in sugar or free of added sugar”, explains Allegaert.
The five solutions are:
Sugar reduction, Free of added sugar, Without added sugar and with no potential laxative effect, Sugar free and Gradual reduction.
