YoQua: 50 % less added granulated sugar, 100 % taste
Emmi
International health food movements are increasingly renouncing sugar. This is also having an impact on our diets here in Switzerland. To meet the growing customer demand for reduced-sugar, high-protein foods, this autumn, Emmi is launching two new reduced-sugar varieties of the popular protein yogurt YoQua. With 50 % less added granulated sugar, 8 grams of protein and just 0.1 % fat, the tart, fruity yogurts are the first of their kind on the Swiss market.
Thomas Heller, Head of Marketing, Switzerland at Emmi commented: “We regularly ask consumers for their opinions, and the demand for reduced-sugar foods has risen sharply in recent years. We are happy to respond to this type of trend, and with the new YoQua varieties, we are offering conscientious consumers a balanced alternative.”
Emmi’s response to the “Milan Declaration”
The average Swiss person consumes around 44 kilograms of sugar per year – diabetes and being overweight are two of the most widespread health conditions. Which is a valid reason for the Federal Council to put an end to the high sugar content of everyday products such as muesli and yogurt. Emmi is happy to lend a hand in tackling this problem. The company was therefore one of ten food producers to sign the “Milan Declaration” in August 2015, witnessed by Federal Councillor Alain Berset. By signing, the participating Swiss food manufacturers committed to reducing the sugar content in muesli and yogurts over the long term. The new YoQua varieties are a direct consequence of this promise – they not only contain 50 % less added granulated sugar and no sweeteners, but also indicate the individual sugar types (fructose, lactose and added granulated sugar) on their packaging. In this way, Emmi aims to enable consumers to assess the artificial, added natural and naturally present sugar types in foods so that they can maintain a more balanced diet.
Reduced sugar content: committed for 25 years
Emmi was committed to reducing sugar content even before the “Milan Declaration”. The company has gradually been reducing sugar content in its products for more than 25 years, and in such small amounts that consumers do not notice any difference in taste. Totally sugar-free versions of many yogurts and dairy-based drinks and desserts are not possible, however, as sugar is a key flavour carrier in these types of product. But Emmi believes that it has achieved the ideal blend of flavour and health in the reduced-sugar YoQuas. Further products with considerably lower sugar content are already planned.
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