Mexicans seek sweet alternatives to sugar
jeopardy, but concerns over taste are hindering the uptake of
reduced sugar products, according to a recent survey
The sugar-laden diet of Mexicans is putting their health in jeopardy, but concerns over taste are hindering the uptake of reduced sugar products, according to a recent survey.
The study in Mexico found that over three quarters of those questioned thought that Mexicans consumed too much sugar and a similar number were concerned about the health implications of excessive sugar intake. While most Mexicans are aware of the dangers, however, the study also indicated that they would only accept sugar substitutes if they tasted the same as, or better than, the original.
The research was carried out by Mexican market research company BIMSA on behalf of Nutrition Specialties Mexico, an affiliate of Nutrinova, the German speciality ingredients company. BIMSA carried out door-to-door surveys of households in the high to mid-range income brackets in October 2001. It questioned 553 households in Mexico's three largest cities: Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.
Some 81 per cent of those questioned agreed with the statement "I think Mexicans consume too much sugar", while 69 per cent regarded high levels of sugar consumption as prejudicial to health and 60 per cent expressed concerns about the amount of sugar they themselves included in their daily diet.
On a more positive note, almost nine out of ten of those surveyed said they were making a conscious effort to control their sugar consumption, an example being the increasing consumption of 'light' or 'reduced calorie' drinks. But while accepting the benefits of artificial sweeteners in reduced sugar products, 82 percent said that their acceptance was conditional on the taste profile of the product in question being the same as, or an improvement on, the sugar-sweetened original.
"The findings of this study highlight a trend that has long been apparent in consumer behaviour, namely the contradiction between opinion and purchasing decisions;" said Eduardo Molina at Nutrition Specialties Mexico, who commissioned the survey. "While consumers welcome the concept of the 'reduced sugar' alternative, if the product doesn't meet their taste expectations, it will not achieve acceptance. Manufacturers need to overcome this obstacle either by making regular products healthier, or reduced sugar and light products tastier."
He continued: "Many manufacturers have taken advantage of modern sweetening systems such as those provided by the Sunett multi-sweetener concept, to meet this clear demand for healthy living with a great taste, but there is still much potential to be realised. By combining non-caloric sweeteners, such as Sunett, with sugar, the sugar content of many food and beverage products can be reduced without compromising on taste or enjoyment - a concept which is enjoying considerable success among consumers."
The BIMSA survey indicates that there is a growing market for sugar and calorie-reduced products in Mexico. Consumer demands mean, however, that unless producers harness the latest sweetening technology in maintaining the taste profile of reduced sugar products, full consumer acceptance may be hard to achieve.
