Sugar reduction claims: how do they work?

Dark sugarfree chocolate tablet with praline filling

Sugar reduction claims: how do they work?

Finding it hard to navigate across the various sugar reduction claims and strategies? We summarized the key things you need to know so you can pick the best strategy for your chocolate products.

What are the different sugar reduction strategies in chocolate?

Sugar reduced mini donuts
Sugar reduced mini donuts

1 - Reduce sugar without claim

The first question to ask yourself is whether you want to make a sugar reduction claim on pack or not. If that’s not the case, you have 2 options:

  • Gradually reduce sugar 
  • Reduce sugar up to 30% (30% is the threshold at which a claim can be made) 

In both cases, Barry Callebaut experts can support you by helping you reformulating your chocolate recipe.

2 - Sugar reduction claim

In order to make the claim “Sugars reduced”, added sugars in your overall product need to be reduced by at least 30%.

Be careful: the benchmark not your current product. The benchmark is against a range of reference of products on the market that are not reduced in sugars.

At Barry Callebaut, we selected the most suitable fibers for a balanced taste profile, good workability and digestive tolerance.

3 - No added sugar

Removing sugars on the ingredient list? Not adding any sugar to the chocolate recipe? That’s the “without added sugar” option. 

  • If polyols (such as maltitol, erythritol, …) are used in your product recipe, there is a risk of laxative warning on pack. In order to avoid it, the overall polyol content of your product should stay below 10%. 
  • If fibers are used (such as chicory root fiber) or polyols are below 10% in the recipe, there is no laxative warning.
Rice wafers coated in no added sugar chocolate
Rice wafers coated in no added sugar chocolate

4 - Sugar-free

The “sugar-free” claim means completely removing sugars from the nutritional table: no more than 0,5% sugars can be in the final product. This type of chocolate is particularly suitable for diabetics but come with a laxative warning.

We use a combination of maltitol and sweeteners such as stevia to replace sugars, and we remove lactose from our milk powder, so no sugars are left in the nutritional.

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Sugar reduced chocolate range for food manufacturers

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Hazelnut mendiants made with with no added sugar chocolate

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Sugar reduced chocolate

Dark chocolate chips M without added sugar

Dark chocolate chips M without added sugar

Without added sugar medium dark chocolate chips with maltitol as a sugar replacer. They are non-vibrated, for non-added sugar oriented baking and cereal applications. Bake stable thanks to the low fat content.

  • range
  • Shape
    chips
  • Size
    10500 pcs/kg
  • Min. % Dry cocoa solids
    48%
Dark chocolate chips M without added sugar

Dark chocolate chips M without added sugar

Without added sugar medium dark chocolate chips with maltitol as a sugar replacer. They are non-vibrated, for non-added sugar oriented baking and cereal applications. Bake stable thanks to the low fat content.

  • range
  • Shape
    chips
  • Size
    7500 pcs/kg
  • Min. % Dry cocoa solids
    48%
20/22 MR with sugar

20/22 MR with sugar

Brown chocolate powder with an intense round chocolaty flavor and a long lasting taste. Low in sugar (only 3%) and allergen free. Possibility to use the claim «Chocolate powder».

Bensdorp
Tintoretto white filling without added sugar

Tintoretto white filling without added sugar

This white filling does not contain added sugars and is the ideal base filling for your confectionery applications. Sugar is replaced by maltitol but this filling still offers a nice sweetness and milky touch.

  • range
  • Melting profile
    smooth
  • Texture
    Firm
  • Vegetable fat
    Non-Hydrogenated, Palm-based

Hazelnut Praliné without added sugar

Praliné filling without added sugar with an intense hazelnut flavor. Sugar is replaced by maltitol yet this filling has a nice, sweet flavor. 

BLACK COCOA COOKIE GRANULES LOW SUGAR 0-2MM

BLACK COCOA COOKIE GRANULES LOW SUGAR 0-2MM

The American style black cookie granules medium size.

D’Orsogna
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