Fonterra Launch Reduced Sugar Yogurt for Kids

04 Oct 2016 --- Dairy innovators Fonterra has launched a new children’s yogurt with the lowest ever sugar levels available in the New Zealand market. Fonterra’s Uno, under the Anchor brand, contains 40 percent less sugar than the original Uno formulation, which means it has a significantly reduced level of sugar (per 100 grams).

Fine-tuning sugar levels is part of Fonterra’s strategy to come up with nutritional products for kids to encourage them to develop healthier eating habits they can continue throughout their lives, without compromising on flavor and taste. A 40 per cent reduction in sugar was achieved with no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. 

Anchor is committed to improving its reduced-sugar portfolio, according to cultured brand manager Nicola Carroll who says: “We are always working on our product formulations, fine-tuning, reviewing and improving our products, prioritizing ones that deliver the goodness of dairy nutrition to kids.”

Anchor Uno, which has a 52 percent share in the New Zealand childrens’ yogurt segment,  previously contained similar levels of added sugar to competitors but the new line removes the sugar from the yogurt base and only includes added sugar through the fruit preparation. Extensive sensory research shows the new formulation is equally or more preferred than the previous recipe.

“Anchor Uno is a great example of our commitment to nutrition, providing the goodness of dairy with less added sugars, in line with recommendations from public health authorities such as the World Health Organization,” adds Fonterra GM Nutrition Angela Rowan.

According to the World Health Organization, one in ten children in New Zealand are classified obese. Last October the government launched the country’s official Childhood Obesity Plan which partially focuses on food and developing healthy eating habits within families, starting in pregnancy and early childhood.