Significant sugar-reduction in dairy products targeted at children is possible without affecting hedonic perception

• Published in: International dairy journal Vol. 114; p. 104937
• Main Authors: Velázquez, Ana Laura, Vidal, Leticia, Alcaire, Florencia, Varela, Paula, Ares, Gastón
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2021
• ISSN: 0958-6946; 1879-0143
• DOI: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2020.104937

The objective of the present study was to evaluate children's hedonic sensitivity to sugar reduction in three dairy products: vanilla milk desserts, chocolate-flavoured milk, and vanilla yoghurt. For each product, a regular sample and five samples with different reduction in added-sugar content were formulated. The regular sample contained the sugar content of commercial products available in the marketplace. The reduction in added-sugar content ranged between 10.0 and 41.0%. A total of 126 children (8–13 years old) participated in the study. An A-not A test was used to evaluate children's hedonic sensitivity to sugar reduction. Sugar reductions up to 27% in chocolate flavoured milk and vanilla yoghurt, and up to 19% in vanilla milk desserts, did not cause significant changes in children's hedonic reaction. These results confirm that sugar-reduction strategies can be easily implemented in the dairy industry without significant risk of affecting sample appreciation and market share.