Ice cream companies are rolling out tailored products as obesity treatments in the GLP-1 class gain ..

10% drop in intake when using treatment Manufacturers target wellness products Mini Swirl and Halo Top gain popularity

Ice cream companies are rolling out tailored products as <a href="https://healthylife7.com/oral-nonpeptide-glp-1-receptor-agonist-vct220-for-obesity-treatment-a-randomized-double-blind-phase-ii-trial/” title=”Oral nonpeptide GLP-1 receptor agonist VCT220 for obesity treatment: a randomized, double-blind, phase II trial”>obesity treatments in the GLP-1 class gain traction. To appeal to health-conscious consumers, they are cutting calories and portion sizes while sales of high-protein ice cream are surging

On the 13th local time, Reuters cited data from market research firm NielsenIQ and reported that U.S. ice cream sales fell 1.5% year on year from the start of this year through June 13. The decline was steeper among obesity drug users, whose consumption was down by at least 10%

Ice cream companies say consumers are not turning away from ice cream altogether. Instead, they believe people are more likely to enjoy it when products are lower in calories, higher in protein, and made with shorter ingredient lists

Lisa Botsman, head of marketing and innovation for Magnum Ice Cream Company in the United States, said, “We still want to enjoy ice cream, but we want it in a form that feels a little healthier.”

A prime example is Blue Bunny’s Mini Swirl, a brand under Italy’s Ferrero Group. The bite-sized mini cone contains only 150 calories. It also minimizes ingredients such as high-fructose corn syrup and artificial colors and flavors

Andrew Monzeluski, senior brand marketing director at Blue Bunny, said, “We know there are certain ingredients consumers no longer want to see in products,” adding that changing eating habits are posing broad challenges for the food industry

Magnum Ice Cream Company, which owns brands such as Magnum and Ben & Jerry’s, is focusing on wellness-oriented product lines such as Yasso, a frozen Greek yogurt dessert brand. Botsman noted that consumers are increasingly looking for products that deliver both indulgence and attributes such as higher protein content, lower calories, and controlled portions

Magnum’s brands hold a 26% share of the $2.2 billion U.S. wellness and functional ice cream market. Yasso has posted average annual growth of about 20% over the past five years, and products such as Popsicle Sugar Free are said to be especially popular among obesity drug users

According to market research firm Circana, Ferrero Group’s Halo Top posted double-digit sales growth over the past two years. That compares with a 2.5% increase in sales across the overall ice cream market

A Halo Top representative explained, “Consumers prefer products that reduce portion sizes while adding quality protein to flavors they want and lowering calories.”

Reuters noted, “The wellness trend is not limited to the United States,” and added that as eating habits change worldwide, questions are being raised about how ice cream brands will stay competitive