Ice Cream Makers Bet on Healthier Treats

Ice cream manufacturers are adapting to changing consumer preferences by offering healthier treats with fewer calories, more protein, and simpler ingredient lists. This shift reflects a broader challenge facing the industry as changing eating habits reshape what consumers expect from indulgent foods.

Companies such as Ferrero-owned Blue Bunny have seen strong demand for their healthier options, with products like the 150-calorie Mini Swirls performing well. Blue Bunny is reformulating recipes to remove ingredients such as high-fructose corn syrup and artificial colours and flavours. This move is part of a larger trend, as consumers increasingly seek out healthier alternatives to traditional ice cream.

The Magnum Ice Cream Company is also accelerating its focus on wellness-oriented offerings, citing strong growth in frozen Greek yoghurt brand Yasso. According to Lisa Vortsman, U.S. chief marketing and innovation officer at The Magnum Ice Cream Company, consumers still want to indulge, but with a wellness twist. This approach has paid off for Ferrero's Halo Top brand, which has delivered double-digit percentage sales growth over the last two years, compared with around 2.5% for the wider market.

## Why it matters The shift towards healthier ice cream options is driven by changing consumer preferences and growing demand for healthier foods. With around 16 million Americans taking GLP-1 medicines and the number expected to climb significantly by the end of the decade, food companies are reformulating products to meet this demand. Companies like Nestle and Conagra are also reformulating products to include more protein, fibre, and nutrition.

As the ice cream industry continues to evolve, manufacturers are betting that consumers will continue to indulge in treats, provided they come with fewer calories, more protein, and simpler ingredient lists. With the rise of healthier ice cream options, consumers can now enjoy their favourite treats without feeling too guilty. As Andrew Mondzelewski, senior director for brand marketing at Blue Bunny, noted, consumers are increasingly looking for products without certain ingredients, and companies are responding to this demand.