Artificial sweeteners grow in UK

According to market researchers Mintel, British consumers are eating less sugar, or turning to artificial sweeteners, reports just-food.com. Latest research finds volume sales of sugar falling by as much as 10% between 1999 and 2004, from some 431,000 tonnes in 1999 to just 390,000 tonnes in 2004.


“The rising concern about health and levels of obesity in Britain today are clearly encouraging consumers to cut back on their sugar intake. What is more, recent diets such as Atkins and GI have also had a negative impact on sugar consumption, as sugar is a real no-go for anyone following these diets,” comments David Bird, senior market analyst at Mintel.


Surprisingly, the one sector of the market that has failed to deliver against expectation is the organic sector. Consumer response to the offer of organic sugars has generally been flat. Holding a position at the premium end of the market, organic has, in general, not performed as well as, for instance, Fairtrade sugars which continue to gain popularity.

“This goes against two main trends in Britain s food market today. While other premium sugars are fairing well, organic sugar, which is also priced as a premium product, has not performed nearly as well. This also goes against the growing demand for organic food in general," said David Bird.