• Low- and zero-sugar food and drink products face a consumer backlash over taste, digestive tolerance and ingredient trust, Mintel warns.
• Low-fat claims fell to 3% of US food and drink launches from nearly 11% at their mid-2010s peak, illustrating single-nutrient positioning risks.
• Brands risk commoditization, forced reformulation and weakened trust unless sugar replacements deliver credible health benefits without sacrificing enjoyment.
• Innovation priorities include testing complete formulations for tolerance and taste, while tailoring product portfolios to competing consumer definitions of healthy.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Mintel Group Ltd. published the original content used to generate this news brief on November 05, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.