http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/ Opinions. Commentary. News. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:02:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/comment-page-1/#comment-39118 lieben Fri, 06 Mar 2009 03:48:02 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/#comment-39118 Interessante Informationen. Interessante Informationen.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/comment-page-1/#comment-39117 Ted Mininni Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:55:48 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/#comment-39117 Right, Mathieu. Gums that claim to be sugar-free may not have refined white sugar in them, but they do have sweeteners like sorbitol, which some consumers do not like. If stevia does well commercially, companies that make chewing gum will likely consider it as a sweetener in future. Thanks for weighing in, Mathieu. Much appreciated. Right, Mathieu. Gums that claim to be sugar-free may not have refined white sugar in them, but they do have sweeteners like sorbitol, which some consumers do not like. If stevia does well commercially, companies that make chewing gum will likely consider it as a sweetener in future. Thanks for weighing in, Mathieu. Much appreciated.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/comment-page-1/#comment-39116 Mathieu Powell Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:41:49 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/#comment-39116 I for one would pay a premium for chewing gum that uses stevia. The only choice available now are laden with sugar or artificial sweetners. I for one would pay a premium for chewing gum that uses stevia. The only choice available now are laden with sugar or artificial sweetners.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/comment-page-1/#comment-39115 Ted Mininni Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:25:59 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/#comment-39115 Another great point, Lee. Many consumers are concerned that an herbal-based product such as stevia might have an off taste or add a strange aftertaste to a food or beverage. I know some people don't mind the taste of stevia, but others find it takes a bit of getting used to. It depends largely upon personal sensitivity, I suppose. Has anyone who has used stevia, besides Elena, an opinion about this? Thanks, Lee, for asking about this issue. Hopefully we'll get input from DF readers on this. Another great point, Lee. Many consumers are concerned that an herbal-based product such as stevia might have an off taste or add a strange aftertaste to a food or beverage. I know some people don’t mind the taste of stevia, but others find it takes a bit of getting used to. It depends largely upon personal sensitivity, I suppose.
Has anyone who has used stevia, besides Elena, an opinion about this?
Thanks, Lee, for asking about this issue. Hopefully we’ll get input from DF readers on this.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/comment-page-1/#comment-39114 Ted Mininni Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:21:39 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/#comment-39114 You've raised an important point, Elena, and I thank you. Consumers are reluctant to pay a premium for products right now as they tighten their financial belts. This might temper the success of stevia, at least in the short term. When the economy improves, consumers' natural curiosity about new products that are heavily advertised, will probably encourage them to try a new sweetener on the market. Thanks, Elena, for voicing a real concern among consumers right now. You’ve raised an important point, Elena, and I thank you. Consumers are reluctant to pay a premium for products right now as they tighten their financial belts. This might temper the success of stevia, at least in the short term. When the economy improves, consumers’ natural curiosity about new products that are heavily advertised, will probably encourage them to try a new sweetener on the market.
Thanks, Elena, for voicing a real concern among consumers right now.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/comment-page-1/#comment-39113 Elena Perez Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:54:51 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/#comment-39113 I, for one, would be thrilled to be able to drink a 0 calorie soda where I didn't have to worry about potential future health effects from chemically created sweeteners. I've done enough research on stevia, and used it at home in drinks, so I already know the taste of the sweetener won't distract me from the taste of the drink. However, like a lot of other consumers right now, I'm not willing to pay a premium for it. In easier economic times I would, but right now I'm more likely to forgo soda entirely, or compromise and drink a non-naturally sweetened soda than pay more for something with stevia instead of Splenda/Nutrasweet. THis seems like it would be a natural match for some of the energy drinks that tout health benefits. I, for one, would be thrilled to be able to drink a 0 calorie soda where I didn’t have to worry about potential future health effects from chemically created sweeteners.
I’ve done enough research on stevia, and used it at home in drinks, so I already know the taste of the sweetener won’t distract me from the taste of the drink.
However, like a lot of other consumers right now, I’m not willing to pay a premium for it. In easier economic times I would, but right now I’m more likely to forgo soda entirely, or compromise and drink a non-naturally sweetened soda than pay more for something with stevia instead of Splenda/Nutrasweet.
THis seems like it would be a natural match for some of the energy drinks that tout health benefits.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/comment-page-1/#comment-39112 Lee Kaplanian Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:14:18 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/#comment-39112 No one has said anything about how it tastes. If it doesn't taste good, people aren't going to buy it no matter how healthy it is. One of the biggest problems I have found with artificial sweeteners is the taste, especially when put in hot tea or coffee, there is something about high temperatures that changes the taste. I have been using organic sugar for quite a while. I 'd like to see some information on how people like the taste. No one has said anything about how it tastes. If it doesn’t taste good, people aren’t going to buy it no matter how healthy it is. One of the biggest problems I have found with artificial sweeteners is the taste, especially when put in hot tea or coffee, there is something about high temperatures that changes the taste. I have been using organic sugar for quite a while.
I ‘d like to see some information on how people like the taste.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/comment-page-1/#comment-39111 Ted Mininni Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:24:24 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/#comment-39111 No doubt about it, Scott. Natural and organic foods have always enjoyed success in more urban, educated and affluent areas. However, due to increasing food safety concerns, many consumers have increasingly turned to more locally sourced foods that are less refined and processed, if not certified organic. The public is becoming more educated about nutrition, and as it does so, and as these food choices become more readily available, they're getting on board. Agreed: it would be great to see some of the research behind Truvia. Thanks for adding to the conversation, Scott. I appreciate it. No doubt about it, Scott. Natural and organic foods have always enjoyed success in more urban, educated and affluent areas. However, due to increasing food safety concerns, many consumers have increasingly turned to more locally sourced foods that are less refined and processed, if not certified organic. The public is becoming more educated about nutrition, and as it does so, and as these food choices become more readily available, they’re getting on board.
Agreed: it would be great to see some of the research behind Truvia.
Thanks for adding to the conversation, Scott. I appreciate it.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/comment-page-1/#comment-39110 Scott Hepburn Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:43:15 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/#comment-39110 @Ted I'll defer: You're probably right about the growth of the "natural/organic" market, although I suspect there's a lot of nuance there. For instance (and I'm just speculating here), organic probably plays better in affluent markets, metropolitan markets, and among more educated consumers. I'm generalizing, of course, but you get the idea. I'd love to see some of the numbers behind Truvia's market research. Would provide some great insights into their positioning. @Ted I’ll defer: You’re probably right about the growth of the “natural/organic” market, although I suspect there’s a lot of nuance there.
For instance (and I’m just speculating here), organic probably plays better in affluent markets, metropolitan markets, and among more educated consumers. I’m generalizing, of course, but you get the idea.
I’d love to see some of the numbers behind Truvia’s market research. Would provide some great insights into their positioning.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/comment-page-1/#comment-39109 Ted Mininni Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:30:09 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-new-sugar-about-to-hit-the-big-time/#comment-39109 Isn't that always the way of things, Elaine? A few entrepreneurs launch new products and develop small to mid-sized companies only to have the big guys come along and get into the same business, if they think it's viable. Stevia brands have been around for a while and mostly sold in natural product stores for some time now. I was aware of that. When small natural food companies are confronted by increased competition, they have historically tried to increase their distribution into mass market which isn't easy or inexpensive to do. Another avenue is to ink contracts with natural food manufacturers to utilize products like stevia in additional food products. Sometimes, they have sold their companies in part or in total, as well, to raise much-needed capital for expansion and increased distribution. While these brands have a core of loyal customers who continue to purchase them within the retail environments where they are known, the name of the game for survival today is distribution into as many channels as possible. . .including online outlets. I wish Wisdom well and believe as in every other product category, there is plenty of room for competition as long as they continue to find ways to grow their own brand. Thanks for weighing in, Elaine. I appreciate it. Isn’t that always the way of things, Elaine? A few entrepreneurs launch new products and develop small to mid-sized companies only to have the big guys come along and get into the same business, if they think it’s viable.
Stevia brands have been around for a while and mostly sold in natural product stores for some time now. I was aware of that. When small natural food companies are confronted by increased competition, they have historically tried to increase their distribution into mass market which isn’t easy or inexpensive to do. Another avenue is to ink contracts with natural food manufacturers to utilize products like stevia in additional food products. Sometimes, they have sold their companies in part or in total, as well, to raise much-needed capital for expansion and increased distribution. While these brands have a core of loyal customers who continue to purchase them within the retail environments where they are known, the name of the game for survival today is distribution into as many channels as possible. . .including online outlets.
I wish Wisdom well and believe as in every other product category, there is plenty of room for competition as long as they continue to find ways to grow their own brand.
Thanks for weighing in, Elaine. I appreciate it.

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