General Mills to reduce sugar in Yoplait Original by 25%, increase protein by 1g

By Elaine Watson

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags High fructose corn High-fructose corn syrup Sweeteners General mills

General Mills to reduce sugar in Yoplait Original by 25%
General Mills is cutting sugar in its Yoplait Original yogurts by 25% and upping the protein, bosses told delegates at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference in Boca Raton, Florida, yesterday.

Commenting on the reformulation in a post at the Taste of General Mills blog​, the Minneapolis-based firm said: “The lower sugar recipe is also lower in calories, moving from 170 to 150 calories.”

The protein is also being increased, said General Mills, which replaced high fructose corn syrup with sugar two years ago: “The brand will now be using more milk in the Original recipe, which actually increases the protein in a 6-ounce cup of yogurt by one gram, from 5 grams to 6 grams.”

Asked how the sugar reduction had been achieved, and whether the reformulated product tasted different, Mike Siemienas, manager, brand media relations at General Mills, told FoodNavigator-USA that no high intensity sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit had been added:

"While the product does have a slightly different taste, we did extensive consumer testing to ensure that consumers still love the taste and texture of Yoplait Original yogurt.

"The number one goal was to continue to provide consumers with a great tasting yogurt while reducing the amount of sugar. As part of the reformulation, we added more milk. This addition allows us to maintain a smooth and creamy texture consumers have come to expect from Yoplait Original yogurt, and also delivers more protein.

"Here are the updated nutritionals for Yoplait Original with 25% less sugar:

  • Protein increases from 5g to 6g per 6 oz. cup;
  • Calories decrease from 170 calories per 6 oz. cup to 150 calories per 6 oz. cup;
  • Fat increases from 1.5g to 2g per 6 oz. cup;
  • Yoplait Original still contains colors, flavors and  sweeteners from natural sources and no high fructose corn syrup."

Get more details HERE​ ​about the reformulated products - which hit shelves next month.

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11 comments

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you've really messed up this time yoplate

Posted by Thomas,

I've never liked yogurt and unable to eat it because I just couldn't get used to the taste no mater what brand I bought. that is until I tried yoplate original. it was great. I would eat it for a snack, desert and whatever other excuse I could come up with to eat one, or two. we ate 20+ a week and not knowing the recipe had been changed I bought all the blueberry and strawberry cheesecake they had on the shelf. I believe it was just under 20. opened one and took a bite and thought it had gone bad. tried 2 more before I saw the 25% less sugar on the cup. no one in my household would eat it and I couldn't even give the stuff away. I couldn't find anyone who likes it well enough to take it so unfortunately all had to be thrown away. I don't understand why yoplate had to ruin a good thing .they already had less sugar, it's called yoplate light. why do you need 2 of the same thing. I just couldn't get used to the taste so it's farewell yoplate. this ones gonna backfire on them. I'm sure their already realizing it by now. that's what happens when they try to dictate to people what to eat instead of asking people what they want. you know it's funny, in all of yoplates articles they tell you that they let consumers try the new product to see if they like it and if they think it tastes similar to the original but not one of the articles say what the outcome of the taste tests were. I guess they think we will assume since they did the tests and then changed the product that the outcome was the consumer liked the 25% less sugar. it's strange that they don't tell us the outcome. it looks like activiia will be the one filling my fridge now since it's the only other yogurt that I can eat.

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There has got to be a good reasoning for sabotaging sales.

Posted by Devin,

Theres no way possible that this wont result in HUGE drop in sales...from everything ive read/heard. Ppl everywhere are discusted
Btw theres no way they did consumer testing....c'mon...

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As a loyal consumer

Posted by irritated,

I have eaten yoplait daily for over 20 yrs. While I appreciate some being more sugar conscious, some of us WERE perfectly fine with the original. Why take it away?! This is typical of a company that knows what's best for everyone, much like the government. I will never buy Yoplait again, even if they return to the original formula. Too many other choices to CHOOSE from. This won't end well for General Mills.

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