Reformulation of UK Soft Drinks Sees 7% Calorie Reduction

15 May 2015 --- Calories across the soft drinks category are down by 7.3% over the last 3 years, according to the latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel.

Figures also published in the 2015 UK Soft Drinks Report “Changing Tastes ” underscore the message on changing patterns of consumer consumption. Almost half of all carbonates sold in the UK are low or no calorie (49%). Sales of bottled water continue to flourish up 9.3% in 2014, and nearly three quarters (74%) of all dilutables sold are low or no calorie.

But despite growth in some categories in 2014 soft drinks consumption was down overall by 0.5%. That partly reflects the fall in sales of fruit juice (down 9.5%) - an unfortunate by-product of the misguided campaign on sugar – which sadly means some consumers have reduced the role of fruit juice in their 5 a day.

Gavin Partington, BSDA Director General, said: “Efforts by soft drinks producers and major retailers have clearly had an impact on the market with consumer calorie intake from our products down significantly. This shows that voluntary steps by industry are having an impact.”