Ice cream companies take healthy route to success

Traditional ice cream products are being edged out by low-calorie varieties with natural sweeteners in the Chinese market as demand from consumers rises for high-quality and healthy products, a new industry report said.

Low-sugar ice cream is seen as a healthier alternative to traditional ice cream, and is driving the highend oriented growth through the use of natural and high-quality ingredients, said the report from London-based market research provider Euromonitor International.

Halo Top ice cream, a brand under Unilever Plc, a British-Dutch consumer goods company, is an example of a product that emphasizes the use of natural flavors, such as probiotic fiber and organic cane sugar, increased protein content and specifying the low-calorie content on the front of the package.