Consumers are paying more attention to the amount of sugar and other sweeteners in food products. This new trend won’t necessarily mean that they’ll change their eating habits or purchasing decisions to reduce sugar intake according to some consumer trend experts. Three of these experts are set to share their insights at the International Sweetener Colloquium, Feb. 24-27 in Aventura, Fla. They’ll explain how new policies, such as labeling requirements for added sugars, and consumer preference could converge over the next few years to influence the demand for sugar and other sweeteners.

The session will feature Richard Black, Ph.D., principal at Quadrant D Consulting, and Lynn Dornblaser, director of innovation and insight, Mintel International Group. Paul Steed, senior global price risk lead for sugar at Mars Wrigley Confectionery U.S., will moderate the panel.

The International Sweetener Colloquium, co-hosted by IDFA and the Sweetener Users Association, will bring together key players from all sectors of the global sweetener industry to discuss the current environment, challenging issues and the future of the industry.

Richard Black

Black is a principal at Quadrant D Consulting. He previously served as vice president of Global Nutrition Sciences PepsiCo, where he led the development of a nutrition strategy that helped fuel a portfolio transformation at the company. Prior to joining PepsiCo, Black worked for Mondeléz International, where he served as vice president of nutrition and chief nutrition officer. During his 25-year career, Black held several nutrition, health and wellness leadership positions at large food and healthcare companies with a focus on carbohydrates, dairy, sports nutrition, micro and macro ingredients, gut health and microbiomes.

Lynn Dornblaser

Dornblaser joined Mintel in 1998 and has more than 30 years of product trend knowledge. She applies her unique perspective on the market and new product development to tailored client research and extensive public speaking. She has been featured in several major U.S. news organizations, including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times and CNN.

Paul Steed

Steed’s industry and geographic background spans trading, speculative position management and industrial sourcing. In November 2017, Steed assumed the newly created position of senior global price risk lead for sugar at Mars Wrigley Confectionary U.S. to drive sugar hedging strategies in all business units worldwide.

The International Sweetener Colloquium, will be held Feb. 24-27 at the Turnberry Isle Miami in Aventura, Florida, just outside the city of Miami. Read more and register here.

Members with questions may contact Melissa Lembke, IDFA director of programs and partnerships, at mlembke@idfa.org.