• Consumer trend: sugar intake is declining worldwide
• Barry Callebaut developed a range of solutions to reduce sugar in confectionery products without compromising on taste

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.[1]

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.”

[1] TrendSightsAnalysis_Ethical Wellbeing_GlobalData_2016-10 & GlobalData_2016 Canadean ConsumerSurveyDataGlobal

Barry Callebaut’s first solution is to reduce sugars by at least 30%. In general, aproduct should contain at least 30% less sugar than a similar product in the market to be labeled sugar-reduced. Barry Callebaut’s sugar reduced dark and milk chocolate contains a dietary fiber blend that replaces part of the sugar content. The chocolate keeps it sweet-tasting flavor even when a significant amount of sugar is taken out. This sugar-reduced chocolate has a balanced taste profile, a good workability, and is also digestive tolerant.

Free of added sugar

Barry Callebaut also offers a series of recipes that do not contain any added sugar. This range is available in a variety of dark, milk and white chocolates with maltitol as a one-on-one sugar replacer. Maltitol is a polyol: a sugar alcohol that is used as a bulk sweetener that contains fewer calories but preserves 90% of a product’s sweetness.

Without added sugar and with no potential laxative effect

Barry Callebaut also offers chocolates without added sugar and without the requirement to declare the laxative effect, which can be caused by a polyol such as maltitol. The declaration of the laxative effect is not required for recipes using maximum 10% polyols combined with dietary fiber.

The range consists of dark, milk and white chocolates with sweeteners, stevia for a great tasting profile, and an added unique fiber blend. The range was patented in2009. The blend contains inulin, a fiber of natural occurrence that is most present in the chicory root and that brings intestinal health benefits. Stevia, in turn, is a high intensive sweetener: sweeter than sucrose and a natural replacement containing zero calories. This means only a small quantity of it is needed.

Sugar free

Barry Callebaut also has a series of recipes that contain zero sugar. For these sugar free chocolates, Barry Callebaut uses maltitol and stevia as sweeteners and takes all sugar out. The result is a zero sugar chocolate, with maltitol and stevia that keep the superb chocolate taste and texture.

Gradual reduction

A last option is to gradually reduce sugar in your chocolate year-on-year by 10-20%, without adding polyols. Barry Callebaut offers support with product reformulation and regulatory advice.