Approved No-added-sugar chutneys - would you buy them?

[JaneWilliams20]

I've been diagnosed with Type 2 for about a year now. Once I started looking at the sugars in everything, I was horrified by the sugar levels in chutneys and sauces, so started making my own, and giving jars to diabetic friends. I'm now unemployed, and it occurs to me that there may be a niche in the market here. Any thoughts? Are there already such things on the market that I just haven't found? How much would you be willing to pay for them, either on a regular basis or as a special gift? Any particular types you'd like?
At the moment my BBQ sauce is a favourite, with mango chutney and a bean pickle (comes out a bit like piccalilli) also with repeats requested, but I'm willing to try to make almost anything.

 

[CarbsRok]

It's total carbs that people with diabetes have to be aware of not the sugar!

 

[zand]

Well I don't eat enough of these kind of things to want to buy a low carb one. If I was desperate for some chutney I would simply have a small amount of regular chutney. The total carbs in the size portion that I would have would be small anyway.

 

[Robbity]

I agree with @CarbsRok regarding total carbs, and "no added sugars " is totally misleading as far as I'm concerned as there can still be plenty of naturally occurring sugars in a particular "no added sugar" food item, whether it's processed or not. I wouldn't for instance go near fresh mangoes since I've been diagnosed as a type 2, although they were one of my favourite fruits.

So although I admire your enterprise - any chutneys and many sauces are definitely on my no go list, I'm afraid.

Robbity

 

[lovinglife]

There is a few online stores that sell lower carb sauces and chutneys, it may help you to see what's in the market currently if you google lowcarbmegastore, advilite, you will see what is on offer, a lot of them come from a New Zealand company called Jok n Al (I think that's the name) they aren't readily available in this country I think only the online stores sell them

Hope that helps

 

[JaneWilliams20]

Thanks, that link to the online store is particularly useful.
And yes, I'm well aware that "no added sugars" doesn't mean "no sugars", but it does at least mean "far less sugars than the normal version".

 

[noblehead]

@JaneWilliams20, do you have the carb value of your products?

 

[mrspuddleduck]

I think that its a great idea but you are possibly targeting the wrong market! As well as agreeing with the carb comments above, I do believe many diabetics avoid 'specialist targeting food'. I certainly do!! I think you should be looking and exploiting the latest generalised "sugar is bad for you' culture that is growing by the day and make it an attractive option for health aware Joe Public. Sue xxx

 

[JaneWilliams20]

@JaneWilliams20, do you have the carb value of your products?

I don't yet, no. "Very low" is the general idea - vegetables, vinegar, sugar substitutes (not sure which to use, but not aspartame!), no thickeners. Doing the sums was going to be one of my next jobs

 

[JaneWilliams20]

I think that its a great idea but you are possibly targeting the wrong market! As well as agreeing with the carb comments above, I do believe many diabetics avoid 'specialist targeting food'. I certainly do!! I think you should be looking and exploiting the latest generalised "sugar is bad for you' culture that is growing by the day and make it an attractive option for health aware Joe Public. Sue xxx

Excellent idea - thanks!

 

[Robinredbreast]

Sounds lovely, I don't eat many chutneys but your idea, I hope, will be a good one and an enterprising for you. Once you tweak your idea's, farmers markets are a great start to get your product on show to the public.

Good luck and all the best best for a successful venture,

RRB

 

[CarbsRok]

Thanks, that link to the online store is particularly useful.
And yes, I'm well aware that "no added sugars" doesn't mean "no sugars", but it does at least mean "far less sugars than the normal version".

Without sounding unkind, your above statement sums things up nicely. You don't get it regarding people with diabetes needing to know carb content for insulin dosage requirements.
On a personal note anything labelled ! is avoided like the plague

 

[JaneWilliams20]

Without sounding unkind, your above statement sums things up nicely. You don't get it regarding people with diabetes needing to know carb content for insulin dosage requirements.
On a personal note anything labelled ! is avoided like the plague

You seem to be assuming that all diabetics inject insulin. We don't. Sure, I can do the sums and print numbers on labels when I get going, but for most of us "next to no sugar or carbs" rather than "30% sugar" is all we need to know.

 

[CarbsRok]

You seem to be assuming that all diabetics inject insulin. We don't. Sure, I can do the sums and print numbers on labels when I get going, but for most of us "next to no sugar or carbs" rather than "30% sugar" is all we need to know.

But what does next to no sugar or carbs mean?
Every person with diabetes has to be carb aware and know exactly what is going in their mouth.
No I was not assuming all people with diabetes inject.
As I said if you don't get it and not knowing or understanding your market is a non starter.

 

[Pinkorchid]

I think there really is a market for low sugar products now certainly not just targeted at diabetics they would make their own decision to eat it or not
The feeling now is that everyone should cut down on sugar and there is not a lot of low sugar stuff in the shops yet so I am sure that people would be pleased to see a low sugar homemade chutney .Many people have started making stuff in their own kitchens and have ended up supplying the high end stores like Harrods Good luck with it I am sure people will love it

 

[CollieBoy]

You seem to be assuming that all diabetics inject insulin. We don't. Sure, I can do the sums and print numbers on labels when I get going, but for most of us "next to no sugar or carbs" rather than "30% sugar" is all we need to know.

I am not on insulin, and being diet & exercise as my sole control. I need to know just how low a "low carb" product is. For this reason I need to run a fairly strict level of quality control on my foods and this precludes vaguely labelled "lower sugar" products, Sorry!

 

[noblehead]

I don't yet, no. "Very low" is the general idea - vegetables, vinegar, sugar substitutes (not sure which to use, but not aspartame!), no thickeners. Doing the sums was going to be one of my next jobs

Nearly all food packaging contains the nutritional information so its something that your going to have to work on Jane, however I wish you every success and hope your business venture takes off.

 

[mrspuddleduck]

Good luck Jane! I think the wider the target market the better and someone mentioned the farmers markets, and perhaps local 'healthy' cafes. The one thing I will say is I think your awareness and knowledge as a diabetic can only be a benefit to the new 'sugar free' culture. At least we are one step ahead in something ha ha!!! Sue xxx

 

[CollieBoy]

Sorry if I came over a bit hard but by giving details of the lowness of carbs as well as sugars the customers could work out if the product could be used by them.
Good Luck!

 

[JTL]

Manufacturing and packaging food on a scale large enough to make a living is very ambitious and fraught with difficulties and problems.
Not saying you can't overcome them but the regulations and the insurance are going to be staggeringly difficult without investment.
I admire anyone willing to give it a go.
For me a tablespoon of bog standard mango chutney piccalilli etc aren't going to worry me to much so long as it's with a meal.
How many jars a week would you have to sell to make a living wage .... two thousand?