5 in 10 consumers are influenced by health labels when choosing products

Health labels include information on protein/sugar/fibre/carbohydrate content.

The Nutri-Grade nutrient labelling system is effective in promoting innovation in health beverages, a study has found.

According to GlobalData, the health labelling system of Singapore is a useful tool to stimulate competition and product innovation in the health and wellness beverages space and curb sales of unhealthy drinks, given that health labelling influences the product choices of 53% of consumers in Singapore.

“Nutri-Grade is motivating beverage makers to reformulate existing products and launch new products with less sugar and calories. It fosters competition among brands and labels to step up research and development (R&D) of healthier ingredients and processes, which ultimately provides consumers with a broader choice of better-for-you products,” Tim Hill, key account director at GlobalData Singapore, said.

“In a recent case, Yakult Singapore’s flagship probiotic drink, Yakult Original, received a low Nutri-Grade D rating due to its high sugar formulation, while a similar product from rival brand Vitagen received a higher Nutri-Grade B rating for its low sugar recipe. Subsequently, in March 2023, Yakult Singapore launched a new variant named Yakult Gold, which it claims contains only up to five grams of sugar per 100ml, and is fortified with Vitamin D to boost bone and dental health. Yakult Gold thereby received a Nutri-Grade B rating and the Healthier Choice Symbol badge,” Hill added.