Smart sugar reduction – naturally better-for-you

Sugar reduction is reshaping the food industry

Sugar is quickly overtaking fat and salt as the primary nutritional concern among consumers. Today’s consumers are increasingly conscious of sugar level in products and expect their favourite products to deliver health benefits with no compromise in taste or texture.

Many consumers want to reduce their sugar intake, but not at the expense of taste or quality. There’s a growing preference for products with less sugar made using natural ingredients, rather than artificial sweeteners. In fact, new product launches that combine sugar reduction with natural claims are on the rise.

At the same time, governments are implementing stricter sugar regulations, creating both compliance pressure and a clear business case for proactive formulation.

Valio’s Bettersweet™ solution: Up to 30% sugar reduction, naturally

Valio Bettersweet™ is a service solution that enables natural sugar reduction in dairy, chocolate, bakery, and ice cream. By harnessing the inherent sweetness of lactose free dairy ingredients, you can reduce added sugar by up to 30% across many product categories, or create recipes with enhanced sweetness using our specialty powders. The result: sugar-reduced products with authentic taste and texture, clean labels, and no artificial sweeteners.

69%

of consumers are actively reducing sugar in their diet – but are not willing to compromise on taste.

Sugar reduction in chocolate and confectionery

Health-conscious chocolate lovers want it all: less sugar, no artificial ingredients, and satisfying indulgence. Valio’s solutions help manufacturers meet these expectations with recipes that maintain premium taste and mouthfeel.

Valio Bettersweet™: reduce the sugar, keep the taste

By harnessing the natural sweetness of lactose free milk powders, Valio’s Bettersweet™ solution enables clean label sugar reduction, up to 30% less sugar, without artificial sweeteners or bulking agents. This creates new opportunities for better-for-you chocolates with great taste and simple ingredient lists.

Key benefits:

• Sugar reduced (up to -30%): Replace sugar naturally with Valio Eila® specialty milk powders; no bulking agents needed.
• No added sugar: Sweetened with maltitol and inulin; only ~10% polyols, meaning no “laxative effect” warning.
• Keto-friendly chocolate: Higher fat content than regular milk chocolate, suitable for ketogenic diets.
• Digestive comfort: No lactose and only minimal polyols, ensuring better tolerance and clean labelling.

Sugar reduction in ice cream

Even in indulgent categories like ice cream, consumers are actively looking for lower-sugar options. The challenge is to deliver the same creamy texture and full taste without compromise, using smart, functional ingredients.

Valio Eila® powders for naturally reduced-sugar ice cream

Valio Eila® specialty powders allow up to 30% reduction in total sugar. They deliver a rich, smooth texture without sandiness, thanks to the absence of lactose crystals. Valio Eila® powders ensure appealing taste and smooth textures, even in reduced-sugar formulations. The lactose hydrolysis process naturally enhances sweetness, enabling “less sugar” claims without artificial sweeteners.

Key benefits:

• Up to 30% less sugar using Valio Eila® PRO powders with lower carbohydrate content
• Naturally smooth, creamy texture – no sandy mouthfeel
• Less added sugar or enhanced sweetness with Valio Eila® SWEET

Sugar reduction in bakery – a lasting consumer trend

Consumers are choosing baked goods with less sugar, but their expectations for softness, taste, and quality remain high. Meeting this demand means reformulating in a way that preserves the comfort of a classic treat.

Bake a better choice with Valio’s dairy-based solutions

Valio’s bakery solutions enable sugar reduction without artificial sweeteners. Using Valio Eila® specialty milk powders, you can reduce sugar while enhancing performance in your baked goods.

Key benefits:

• Naturally reduce sugar while maintaining soft, moist texture and good shelf life
• Achieve a golden-brown color and crispy crust – hydrolyzed lactose browns more easily than sucrose or lactose
• Extend freshness and sales time thanks to excellent water-binding properties
• Replace sugar with lactose free milk powders for clean label appeal and digestive wellness benefits

Sugar reduction in dairy – balancing everyday enjoyment and wellness

Today’s shoppers expect everyday dairy products to be both nutritious and enjoyable. They want shorter ingredient lists, less sugar, and the same rich taste, which makes sugar reduction a challenge that requires carefully selected solutions.

Reduced sugar, natural ingredients, and no compromise

Valio has developed dairy processing solutions that enable up to 30% sugar reduction without artificial sweeteners. Using Valio Eila® lactose free milk powders and application know-how, manufacturers can create spoonable yoghurts, flavoured drinks, and desserts with authentic dairy taste, clean label positioning, and natural sweetness. Our technical experts support with recipes and process optimisation to ensure consistency and performance.

Key benefits:

• Up to 30% less sugar
• High protein content
• Lactose free – possibility to reach <0.01% lactose
• Enables reduced sugar and lactose free claims
• Delicious taste and creamy texture