Belgian milk processing companies have succeeded in reducing the added sugar in their products by 15% since 2012, the Belgian Dairy Industry Confederation, CBL, reported in a press release on Tuesday.
More than half of the range of dairy products contained no added sugar, the Confederation added.
Initially, the industry had aimed at reducing the added-sugar content by 8% between 2012 and 2020. This goal had been set under the “Balanced Food Convention” between the federal authorities, the spokesperson for trade and services in Belgium, and the Belgian Food Industry Federation.
By 2020, that goal had been surpassed, with a 12% reduction, rising to 15% in 2021.
“Last year the milk processors proved that, even without a formal agreement, major measures can be taken, resulting in a 15% reduction in the added-sugar content,” the CBL noted.
The Confederation said further that the added-sugar content of several products had been reduced beyond this number, such as Pur Natur or Danio yoghurts from Danone, which showed an 18% reduction.
Many dairy companies are also expanding their range by offering products stamped with “no-added-sugar”, as is the case, for example, with Danone and its Activia no-added-sugar brand.
