The drive to satisfy the sweet tooth of the American consumer seems to become more complicated and confusing every year. The realities of the obesity epidemic create a divide that nearly every consumer confronts on a daily basis.

Today’s consumer demands more of their snack food. They’re looking for healthy, energy-sustaining and—yes—delicious, snack and bakery choices, sometimes to even replace a regular meal. These needs don’t necessarily leave out the use of cane sugar, but this pure sweetener comes with challenges of its own, including periodic price fluctuations.

Bolstering its better-for-you presence in the snack aisle, Snikiddy’s new Baked Fries will hit store shelves throughout June.

The reformulated Smucker's Uncrustables sandwiches have also been certified non-GMO and NSF Non-GMO True North™ by NSF International. NSF International provides third-party certification for non-GMO products.

Reser’s is removing high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as well as all artificial colors and artificial flavors across the entire American Classics™ deli salad product line.

Nature's Own Life® varieties have no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors, and no high fructose corn syrup.

Each product in the line was inspired by and developed with an Award Winning Mixologist to set a new standard for quality, authenticity and convenience.  

The sweetener industry continues to evolve more by consumption than invention. Just as sugar was transformed from a luxury item to a standard on the American table, and then made huge inroads into processed foods, new high-intensity sweeteners are carving out solid ground in the sweetener tool chest.

Papa John’s announced that it will remove high fructose corn syrup from its entire food menu. The change has been fully implemented and includes all pizza ingredients, pizza toppings, dessert items, and sauce selections.

Hershey is looking at replacing the high-fructose corn syrup in some of its products with sugar. Will Papa, chief research and development officer at The Hershey Co., told The Associated Press the company uses a mix of sugar and high-fructose corn syrup in its products but that it is "moving more toward sugar." "We take into account what consumers want. And consumers are telling us between the two, they prefer sugar," Papa said.