The sector has committed to reduce average added sugar in beverages by 10% in the EU27 and UK between 2019 and 2025, under the umbrella of the EU Farm to Fork Strategy and its Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices: on top of reductions made in previous commitments for 2015 and 2019.
The European soft drinks sector has delivered a 3.6% reduction in average added sugars between 2019 and 2021, says the organisation; marking a 17.7% reduction since 2015 (covering all soft drinks except water and juices).
Of particular note is that no and low calorie products now have an over 29% average market share: with some markets reaching up to 50%. Over the last decade, more than 60% of new beverages launching in the market are no or low sugar and calories.
Ian Ellington, President of UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe and Senior Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer for PepsiCo in Europe, said: ‘Our efforts to meet our latest sugar reduction target are delivering results: a further 10% reduction in average added sugars in our drinks in the EU27 and the UK from 2019 to 2025. It also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to encourage consumers towards heathier drink options by offering them more no- and low-calorie products.’
“Over the past 20 years, UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe has contributed to building a healthier food system in Europe. UNESDA corporate members have made significant investments in reformulation and new product development to reduce average added sugars in their drinks with the goal of providing consumers with healthier drink choices. The sector has achieved a total of 26% reduction in average added sugars since 2000. It has also become the first and only sector to have committed to the EU call for a 10% added sugars reduction by 2020 and to have significantly exceeded this target by reaching a 14.6% sugar reduction from 2015 to 2019.”
