Re: Sugars

From: Joel M. Eichen, D.D.S. (joeleichen_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 07/26/04 

Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 09:49:02 -0400

Sugar and sweeteners (including artificial sweeteners such as
saccharin; sugar-derived sweeteners such as sucralose; various syrups
such as corn and maple; and honey) comprise a $2.1 billion retail
market. In an era of concern about obesity and weight control, some
sweeteners have fared better than others, with the fastest growing
product being sucralose, a sugar-derived sweetener that is not
metabolized and therefore adds no calories or carbohydrates to the
diet. Consumers worried about their weight, subscribers to a low carb
diet, and diabetics have all embraced sucralose (brand name Splenda),
which has only been sold at retail in a form similar to other
sweeteners since 2000. Before then, sucralose could be found as an
ingredient in prepared foods but not as a retail product.

Sugar and sweetener sales have been slow overall, thanks to a number
of factors such as a flagging interest in cooking from scratch and a
growing reliance on prepared and pre-sugared foods. Also draining
sales is the rising interest in diets and dieting (especially low-carb
dieting) and the growing number of Americans who are watching their
sugar intake for health reasons (primarily Type II diabetes).

To increase sales, manufacturers must have a keen understanding of
consumer motivations, opinions and purchasing habits regarding sugar
and sweeteners. Mintel's exclusive consumer research penetrates
consumer use of these products, examining issues such as frequency of
use, preferred forms of sweetener and attitudes toward sugar, analyzed
by demographic characteristics such as age, income, gender and race.

This report examines the market for sugar, sweeteners, and table
syrups/molasses/honey for in-home (retail) consumption, excluding
those used in catering establishments such as restaurants and
cafeterias. The report does not look at the use of sugar or sweeteners
as ingredients in prepared or packaged foods (see Ingredients
Trends-U.S., consumer intelligence, December 2004).

Sugar is discussed in two subgroups-white granulated sugar and brown,
powdered, or flavored sugar.

Syrups include corn syrup, maple syrup, and flavored fruit syrups.
Honey and molasses are also included in this segment.

There are a variety of sweeteners other than sugar that are sold in
the U.S., but only a few are sold in retail formulation:
-- Saccharin, defined as a calorie-free artificial sweetener (chemical
composition C7H5NO3S), having a taste about 500 times sweeter than
cane sugar. Brand names include Sweet'N Low and Sugar Twin.
-- Aspartame is a calorie-free artificial sweetener, (chemical
composition C14H18N2O5), formed from aspartic acid. Brand names
include NutraSweet, Equal, Canderel, and Spoonful.
-- Acesulfame-potassium or Ace-K (chemical composition C4H4KNO4S) is a
calorie-free artificial sweetener that is about 200 times sweeter than
sugar. Brand names include Sunette and Sweet-One.
-- Stevia is an herbal sweetener, 100 times sweeter than sugar. The
product is not FDA approved, and is sold as a dietary supplement,
although it is most commonly used as a sweetener.
-- Sucralose, a natural sweetener made from sugar but with no calories
and no nutritional value. Only branded product currently on the market
is Splenda.

Other Mintel reports of relevance include:
-- Home Baking - UK - August 2002
-- Coffee Shops - UK - January 2003
-- Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners - UK - January 2003
-- Carbonated Soft Drinks - US - February 2003
-- Tea and Herbal Tea - UK - February 2003
-- Morning Goods - UK - March 2003
-- Bread, Cakes & Biscuits - UK - April 2003
-- Milk - US - April 2003
-- Sweet Spreads - UK - April 2003
-- Reduced Fat and Reduced Calorie Foods - UK - April 2003
-- Sugar Confectionery - UK - April 2003
-- Changing British Diet - UK - May 2003
-- Children's Snacking Habits - UK - May 2003
-- Tea - US - June 2003
-- Energy Drinks - US - July 2003
-- Energy and Stimulant Drinks - UK - August 2003
-- Sweet Biscuits - UK - October 2003
-- Attitudes Towards Healthy Eating - UK - November 2003
-- Organic Foods - UK - November 2003
-- Children's Eating Habits - UK - December 2003
-- Hispanics and Beverages - US - December 2003
-- Edible Oils - UK - December 2003
-- RTD Non-carbonated Beverages - US - January 2004
-- Coffee - US - January 2004
-- Coffee - UK - January 2004
-- Adult Soft Drinks - UK - January 2004
-- Coffeehouses - US - February 2004
-- Yogurt Drinks - US - March 2004
-- Cream and Creamers - US - March 2004
-- Edible Fats and Oils - US - March 2004
-- Milk and Cream - UK - March 2004
-- Energy Supplements - US - April 2004
-- Low Carb - US - May 2004
-- Sugar Confectionery - US - May 2004
-- Yogurts - US - June 2004
-- Kids' and Teens' Eating Habits - US - June 2004

For further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us by email
info@mintel.com or by calling +1 312 943 5250.

  
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On 26 Jul 2004 12:43:46 GMT, advocate147@aol.com (Advocate147) wrote:

>What I was most interested in is the maple syrup. Since it is used right from
>the tree with no added process, I assume, is that a harmful sugar. Goes great
>on cooked carrotts for taste.
>
>Gail

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