Americans worried again about sugar, panels tells nation’s sugar growers
August 16, 2013 | 03:27 PM
NAPA, Calif. — After a period of worrying about fat, Americans are once again worried about sugar, a panel of consumer trend analysts told the nation’s sugar growers here last week.
Marianne Smith Edge
About 21 percent of Americans believe they will gain the most weight from sugar and 19 percent believe they will gain the most from carbohydrates, while only 16 percent say fats would result in the greatest weight gain, Marianne Smith Edge, the vice president for nutrition and food safety at the International Food Information Council and Foundation. She was speaking at the American Sugar Alliance International Sweetener Symposium.
And 68 percent of consumers say they consider whether a food contains sugar when making a buying decision. Smith Edge was citing data from surveys made by the IFICF, an industry-supported group.
About 58 percent try to limit sugars in general and 52 percent try to limit high-fructose corn syrup, she said, while 49 percent try to limit trans fat and 48 percent try to limited saturated fat.
But taste continues to be the No. 1 factor in determining what food and beverages people select, she said, while 71 percent consider price and 64 percent consider healthfulness in the decision.
Ron Sterk
Ron Sterk, senior editor for markets at Sosland Publishing in Kansas City, Mo., said consumers are “bombarded” with conflicting messages about food, but are becoming increasingly aware of sustainability issues.
Baby boomers still have the greatest buying power, he said, while millennials are “establishing themselves as household leaders with financial pressures.”
Food companies are finding that millennials have a strong knowledge of food and do care more about natural and organic foods, Sterk said, adding that the “assault” on sweeteners is “just beginning” while the focus on fat is “fading” and the focus on salt is “raging.”
Mark McCullough, worldwide sugar sourcing manager for General Mills, said snacking throughout the day is becoming more common and is now a way to regulate energy levels and control portions rather than as a questionable addition to larger meals. But he also said that consumers are eating healthier snacks and eating smaller traditional meals.
Shoppers are buying more alcoholic beverages, more fresh produce and more meat from the deli counters while buying less yogurt, cereal, frozen novelties, baking mixes, canned vegetables, carbonated beverages, puddings, canned fruit, canned seafood and frozen juice, McCullough said.
Marianne Smith Edge
About 21 percent of Americans believe they will gain the most weight from sugar and 19 percent believe they will gain the most from carbohydrates, while only 16 percent say fats would result in the greatest weight gain, Marianne Smith Edge, the vice president for nutrition and food safety at the International Food Information Council and Foundation. She was speaking at the American Sugar Alliance International Sweetener Symposium.
And 68 percent of consumers say they consider whether a food contains sugar when making a buying decision. Smith Edge was citing data from surveys made by the IFICF, an industry-supported group.
About 58 percent try to limit sugars in general and 52 percent try to limit high-fructose corn syrup, she said, while 49 percent try to limit trans fat and 48 percent try to limited saturated fat.
But taste continues to be the No. 1 factor in determining what food and beverages people select, she said, while 71 percent consider price and 64 percent consider healthfulness in the decision.
Ron Sterk
Ron Sterk, senior editor for markets at Sosland Publishing in Kansas City, Mo., said consumers are “bombarded” with conflicting messages about food, but are becoming increasingly aware of sustainability issues.
Baby boomers still have the greatest buying power, he said, while millennials are “establishing themselves as household leaders with financial pressures.”
Food companies are finding that millennials have a strong knowledge of food and do care more about natural and organic foods, Sterk said, adding that the “assault” on sweeteners is “just beginning” while the focus on fat is “fading” and the focus on salt is “raging.”
Mark McCullough, worldwide sugar sourcing manager for General Mills, said snacking throughout the day is becoming more common and is now a way to regulate energy levels and control portions rather than as a questionable addition to larger meals. But he also said that consumers are eating healthier snacks and eating smaller traditional meals.
Shoppers are buying more alcoholic beverages, more fresh produce and more meat from the deli counters while buying less yogurt, cereal, frozen novelties, baking mixes, canned vegetables, carbonated beverages, puddings, canned fruit, canned seafood and frozen juice, McCullough said.
