Sugar reduction in industrial food manufacturing
Valio has developed solutions to reduce sugar in dairy products, chocolate and confectionery, ice cream and bakery goods.
Valio Bettersweet™ is a service solution that enables natural sugar reduction with up to 30% without touching chocolate’s taste or texture. It also paves the way for ‘without added sugar’ claims.
Application areas: milk chocolate, white chocolate, hazelnut cocoa spread, toffee and cocoa drink powder.
To demonstrate that Valio Bettersweet™ solution works in any milk chocolate, we took the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and human craftsmanship to create the ultimate future-proof chocolate: the Bar.
We work from what is naturally in our most loved chocolate: milk.
Our high-quality milk powders are made with 110 years of Valio expertise and responsible know-how in dairy, using fresh milk from Finnish cows.
We want Better chocolate for every tummy.
This means digestive comfort with no laxative effects and no lactose, but all natural milk minerals, proteins, and vitamins.
Premium nutrition claim for a premium product.
Valio Bettersweet™ allows you to add approved nutrition claims to your chocolate. Something that is also sure to claim the hearts of the premium consumer segment.
Clean label is a clear advantage.
Valio Bettersweet™ allows you to leave all artificial ingredients off the label – a clean win for any consumer product.
Our solutions
Sugar is increasingly overtaking fat and salt as a primary consumer concern when buying food. Sugar reduction is thus a growing trend. However, the wellness trend also emphasises naturality and clean label. Manufacturers can meet these consumer requirements by developing better-for-you products that are both functional and natural.
Sugar reduction is a big trend
Avoiding sugar is a clear trend. Consumers are increasingly conscious of sugar level in products and sugar is the most common nutrition fact that people look at on packages when buying food.
Consumers want to avoid sugar but not with compromise in taste or other quality properties. Many consumers prefer products that have less sugar, but in natural way rather than with artificial sweeteners and new product launches with natural combined to sugar reduction are growing significantly. For example, snacks or bakery products are used in many occasions of the day and sugar level in them is relevant for the end consumer. With reduced sugar levels these products offer enjoyment and energy with better conscious and better-for-you choices for the whole family.
Sugar-related restrictions in food are tightening
Tightening regulations around sugar and the increasing consumer demand for better-for-you choices are both a challenge and a great opportunity for food…
Science behind the ‘reduced sugar’ chocolate
Lactose free milk powders offer a better alternative for polyols and fibres in producing sugar reduced chocolate, Valio research shows.
Three reasons to reduce sugar in chocolate
People want to enjoy their chocolate with clear conscience. Yet, they are not willing to compromise on taste, texture or mouthfeel. This tough equation means…
Meet the demand for better-for-you chocolate and confectionery with Valio Bettersweet™ solution
The chocolate and confectionery industry is increasingly responding to consumer demand by creating permissible indulgences that support a healthy lifestyle,…
Sugar reduction in dairy products
Avoiding sugar is a clear trend among all consumers, and they are increasingly conscious of sugar levels in different food products. They also seek naturality, which means simple, all-natural ingredients, and a short and understandable list of ingredients. At the same time, they want to enjoy the taste and texture of food.
Sugar makes flavoured dairy drinks, spoonable products, and ice cream taste sweet. Sugar also affects the mouthfeel, texture, colour, and viscosity of the products. The challenge for dairy manufacturers is how to balance the customer’s need for sugar reduction, naturality, and indulgence.
Valio has developed solutions for sugar reduction. With Valio ingredients, application and process know-how, dairy food manufacturers can reduce sugar levels without having to use artificial sweeteners.
Reduced sugar and great taste without artificial sweeteners
The carbohydrate content in dairy products is the sum of added sugar and lactose. Valio’s solution for dairy processing reduces sugar levels in a way that does not compromise other important product qualities, like texture or taste. It is possible to reduce the sugar level by as much as 30%. Our technical experts are happy to help design the recipes and processes.
Valio dairy ingredients for sugar reduction:
Sugar reduction in chocolate
OVERVIEW – Naturality continues to drive sugar reduction innovation Less sugar, clean label, and natural – that is what consumers are looking for in their milk chocolate. With milk-based protein, confectionery manufacturers can reduce sugar levels without compromising important product qualities such as taste and texture.
Implementation of sugar taxes and the ongoing health and wellness trends have created a hot market for new and innovative reduced sugar products. Consumers are looking to avoid sugar also in the indulgence category. Naturally sugar reduced products are the best match for consumers’ better-for-you demand.
BENEFITS: The trend of sugar avoidance sets a challenge for confectionery manufacturers, as sugar is the main component in creating the sweet taste of chocolate. Sugar also enhances the texture and prolongs the shelf life of chocolate and confectionery products.
Valio’s solution enables:
- manufacture of clean label chocolate with the health claim of ‘30% less sugar’.
- A peer reviewed article reports that ‘30% less sugar’ chocolate made with Valio’s solution was rated equal in taste and texture to regular chocolate.
- Sugar is reduced naturally by adding high quality milk ingredients.
- No artificial sweeteners, no laxative or other side effects.
- Securing an authentic taste and texture.
- Possibility for the reduced sugar / 30% less sugar package claim.
APPLICATIONS:
Chocolate / Sweet spreads / Fat based fillings / Fudges/ Toffee, milk caramel / Cacao drink powder
Science behind the ‘reduced sugar’ chocolate
Lactose free milk powders offer a better alternative for polyols and fibres in producing sugar reduced chocolate, Valio research shows.
Three reasons to reduce sugar in chocolate
People want to enjoy their chocolate with clear conscience. Yet, they are not willing to compromise on taste, texture or mouthfeel. This tough equation means…
Reduce sugar in chocolate without artificial sweeteners
How can you produce delicious ‘30% less sugar’ chocolate with the help of Valio’s recipe expertise and milk-based ingredients? In this webinar, Terhi…
Valio milk powders for sugar reduction:
Valio Eila® PRO lactose free skimmed milk powder
Valio Eila® PRO lactose free semi-skimmed milk powder instant
Valio Eila® PRO lactose free whole milk powder
Valio Eila Sweet lactose free whole milk powder
Valio Eila SWEET fat free milk powder lactose free
Valio Eila® low lactose skimmed milk powder
Sugar reduction in ice cream
- Reduction of total sugar level up to -30% sugar as Valio Eila® powders contain less carbohydrate than standard SMP
- Rich and smooth texture with Valio Eila® powders; no sandiness as non-lactose crystals are present
- Sugar reduction with Valio Eila® MPC or Valio Eila® PRO SMP
Less added sugar or enhanced sweetness
- Possibility to reduce added sugar by at least 20 percent without compromise in taste
- Sweetness can be significantly enhanced without increase in added sugar level
- Less added sugar or enhanced sweetness with Valio Eila® SWEET
Valio milk powders for sugar reduction:
Sugar reduction in bakery
Reducing sugar – an ongoing trend continuing into the future
With the ever-shifting world of food trends presenting new possibilities and challenges to bakeries, one food trend has remained for some time: sugar reduction. Whilst consumers have taken a broader approach to health maintenance, sugar still ranks as the number one dietary evil for them. This has led consumers to make conscious attempts to avoid sugar in indulgence products. They also have more favorable perceptions towards products that are free from sugar, have less sugar or contain no added sugar.
Valio’s bakery solutions enable sugar reduction without the use of artificial sweeteners. With them, you can reduce sugar in your industrially baked products without compromising on soft and moist texture or good shelf life.
Bake a better choice – low in sugar, no artificial sweeteners:
- Replace sugar with Valio Eila® lactose free milk powder
- Get you a golden-brown baked color and improved crispy crust in bakery products – hydrolyzed lactose is more sensitive to browning than sucrose or lactose
- Offer more sales time with better ‘best before’ dates: bakery products stay fresh longer and have good water binding properties
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