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Sweet Success: Cutting Sugar in Food Production

RE-NUT AG | December 3, 2025

Why Sugar Reduction Matters More Than Ever

Sugar has long been a beloved ingredient in food manufacturing, but today it’s under intense scrutiny. Public health experts warn that excessive sugar intake is fueling a rise in chronic health issues. Globally, 1 in 9 adults now has diabetes and 1 in 8 people is living with obesity, conditions strongly linked to high-sugar diets. These sobering statistics have put sugar reduction at the top of the agenda for health authorities and food companies alike. Cutting back on sugar isn’t just a consumer wellness fad; it’s a response to a genuine health crisis. Weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease – all have been tied to excessive added sugars . For food industry professionals, the message is clear: helping consumers “live healthier, longer lives” means formulating products with less sugar.

Beyond health concerns, there’s also a regulatory and reputational angle. Governments are introducing sugar taxes and stricter labeling laws, while retailers pressure brands to offer better-for-you options. In this environment, food manufacturers and product developers are expected to be proactive about sugar reduction. The goal is to deliver the same delicious products people love – sweet drinks, snacks, desserts – but with far less sugar. Doing so can improve public health outcomes and position brands as responsible, innovative industry leaders. In short, reducing sugar isn’t just good for consumers; it’s good for business.

Consumers Crave Low-Sugar, Clean-Label Options

It’s not just policymakers sounding the alarm, consumers themselves are driving the low-sugar trend. In fact, a strong majority are actively seeking to slash sugar from their diets. According to a 2023 International Food Information Council survey, 72% of consumers are looking to limit or avoid sugar altogether. This demand has sparked a boom in zero-sugar and low-sugar products across nearly every food and beverage category. What started as a “diet” products craze has evolved into a broader “zero-sugar” movement, now a key selling point on packaging. One market analysis projects the global zero-sugar food and beverage market will grow from $19.2 billion in 2023 to $23.3 billion by 2028. Clearly, products positioned as low-sugar or no-sugar are no niche play: they’re becoming the norm.

Why the shift?

Today’s buyers are label-savvy and health-conscious. They’re scanning ingredient lists for hidden sugars in everything from cereals to sauces. As one expert noted, “added sugar shows up where you don’t expect it” and when a brand finds a way to eliminate it no sugar added that still tastes great, the product can barely stay on shelves. Consumers have learned that less sugar often means a cleaner label and a healthier product, so they’re rewarding brands that figure out how to deliver sweetness without the sugar crash.

At the same time, consumers are getting pickier about how sweetness is achieved. There’s growing skepticism of artificial sweeteners, driving interest toward natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit . But even those have limitations – some people detect off-tastes, and others prefer an entirely clean-label approach (nothing artificial or highly processed). This is where innovative food tech and ingredients come in. To truly crack the sugar reduction puzzle, many brands are looking beyond traditional sweeteners and asking: Can we make foods taste great with less sugar, and without dumping in loads of additives?

The Nutty Solution: How RE-NUT® Cracks the Code

Enter RE-NUT®, taking a completely new approach to sugar reduction: nuts. At first glance, nuts might not scream “sweetness.” But RE-NUT® isn’t about making food sweeter; it’s about making it healthier and just as enjoyable, so you don’t need all that sugar in the first place. RE-NUT’s patented in-shell processing method unlocks the full potential of almonds (and other nuts) by grinding whole nuts (shells and all) into valuable ingredients. In doing so, it creates naturally nutrient-rich, fiber-packed nut products that can replace some of the sugar and empty calories in foods. Think of it as “sweetness through subtraction” – using wholesome nut ingredients to take up space and provide flavor/texture, thereby reducing the need for added sugar.

Here’s how it works:

By processing nuts without removing their shells, RE-NUT® captures parts of the nut that are normally discarded. Those humble shells turn out to be loaded with dietary fiber and antioxidants. The result is a range of fiber-rich almond ingredients - from almond milk to almond flour and nut pastes – that food manufacturers can incorporate into recipes. This added fiber and protein from the whole-nut approach lets formulators cut back on sugar and refined carbs while keeping products satisfying. In fact, RE-NUT®'s in-shell nut solids act as a 100% natural filler, allowing significant sugar reduction in confectionery, chocolate spreads, cookies, and more. By adding these nut-based ingredients, brands can literally replace a portion of the sugar in a product with something much healthier (and naturally derived). It’s a clever swap: you maintain the bulk, mouthfeel, and indulgent experience, but with far less sugar on the label.

Critically, this approach doesn’t force a trade-off in taste. Using the whole nut actually enhances flavor and texture in many applications. When RE-NUT put its in-shell products to consumer tests, taste-testers often preferred the versions with the nut ingredients, citing a creamier texture and rich flavor. So product developers get to have their cake (with less sugar) and eat it too: consumers still love the taste. It’s a win-win, where “healthy indulgence” is no longer an oxymoron.

Ready to Reduce Sugar the Natural Way?

Sugar reduction doesn’t have to be a bitter pill for the food industry. As we’ve seen, innovations like RE-NUT®’s in-shell almond products are enabling a new era of low-sugar, clean-label, and sustainable food production. It’s a rare win-win-win: better for consumers’ health, better for product quality, and better for the environment. If you’re a food manufacturer or product developer, the message is clear: now’s the time to get a little “nutty” with your formulations. Enrich your recipes with fiber-rich almond milk, fortify your baked goods with whole-nut flour, and create spreads that indulge without the sugar overload. By doing so, you meet surging consumer demand for low-sugar, natural products while staying ahead of regulatory curves and sustainability goals.

Ready to taste the possibilities? Consider this your invitation to explore RE-NUT®’s portfolio and see how in-shell nut ingredients can transform your product line. Whether you’re looking to eliminate added sugars in a new granola bar, boost the “health halo” of an existing snack, or launch the next big thing in plant-based milk, RE-NUT’s team can help you get there without compromising on taste or texture. It’s not just about removing something (sugar); it’s about adding the right innovations. And when those innovations let people enjoy food that’s both delicious and better-for-them, you’ve struck gold.

Join the sugar-reduction revolution and give your consumers the sweet (but healthy) success they’re craving. Get in touch with RE-NUT or schedule a demo to discover how nut-based, clean-label ingredients can power your next breakthrough product. Less sugar, more goodness – now that’s a formula everyone can celebrate.

Ready for Scale: From Pilot to 2027 Launch

All these benefits will soon be available at an industrial scale. RE-NUT® is currently building out the Blueprint Line, our first full-scale production line for in-shell almond processing, located in North America. This state-of-the-art facility, to be operational by Q1 2027, will mark the commercial debut of in-shell almond flour.

Ready to innovate with us? Get in touch to learn more about our early partnership program, obtain sample batches for testing, or schedule a demo. Together, let’s create the next generation of confections that are not only irresistibly delicious, but also rich in goodness and rooted in sustainability. The future of nut-powered, better-for-you treats is almost here, and we’d be thrilled to have you on board.

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