Shaping Sweet Success for Reduced-sugar Foods

摘要

The low-carb trend may well be on a decline, but reduced-sugar foods are not facing a reduction-at least not these past few years. A 2004 Calorie Control Council (CCC, Atlanta) survey reveals that 84% of the participants regularly use low-calorie, reduced-sugar and/or sugar-free foods and beverages-up 73% from 1998-with an even greater use among dieters at 95%. Carbonated diet soft drinks are the most popular reduced-calorie/sugar-free products, followed by sugar-free/light non-carbonated soft drinks and sugar substitutes. More than eight out of 10 users-85%-want more sugar-reduced offerings. Information Resources Inc. (IRI, Chicago) data shows double-digit growth from 2003 to 2004 for diet soft drinks and bottled water, while orange juice and regular soft drinks were down 4%. IRI also reports many new items in the category, most notably frozen novelties and diet candy (with diet and sugar-free sales showing a greater than 90% increase in the past year). Worldwide, ACNielsen (New York) tracking shows sugar substitutes experienced the fastest growth within the "healthy alternatives" category-10% from 2003 to 2004.