Nestlé has unveiled a new sugar reduction technology that it claims is versatile and cost-effective and applicable across various product categories, according to the company’s statement. This innovative method employs an enzymatic process to reduce intrinsic sugar in ingredients like malt, milk, and fruit juices by up to 30% while having minimal effects on taste and texture.
Despite the ongoing efforts to decrease sugar consumption, sugar remains highly valued by many shoppers and food manufacturers due to its appealing taste. Recent research conducted by Kerry revealed that nearly two-thirds of global consumers consider sugar essential in food and beverages because of its pleasant flavour.
The ability to maintain the same taste while reducing sugar intake could be a significant breakthrough for Nestlé, given that 57% of consumers are influenced by “low in sugar” claims in their purchasing decisions. Additionally, about seven in 10 respondents stated that they are cutting back on sugar consumption to lead healthier lives.
The global reduced-sugar food and beverage market reached a value of $46.18 billion in 2021, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 8.9% from 2022 to 2030, mainly driven by the rising demand for healthier and low-sugar products.
Nestlé’s chief technology officer, Stefan Palzer, emphasized that sugar reduction remains a top priority for the company. The patented sugar reduction process has already been tested in cocoa and malt-based ready-to-drink beverages in Southeast Asia and introduced in several countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America for powdered beverages such as Milo. Nestlé plans to expand this technology to other product categories, including dairy powders.
Moreover, the process of sugar reduction in milk-based products results in an increase in prebiotic fibres, which promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, appealing to health-conscious consumers.
For Nestlé, the application of this technology to various product categories could be a game-changer, enabling sugar reduction across a wide range of items and aligning with the company’s goal of offering healthier products. Currently, approximately 37% of Nestlé’s net sales (excluding pet care and specialized nutrition) come from products categorized as “healthy.”
Nestlé has been actively involved in reducing sugar in its products before, with a previous breakthrough that cut the sweetener by 30%. Although the company introduced lower-sugar chocolate bars named Milkybar Wowsomes in the UK and Ireland in 2018, they were discontinued in 2020 due to low sales and distribution challenges.