Mondelez unveils Oreo zero sugar in U.S. market as demand for healthier snacks rises
Mondelez introduces sugar-free Oreo varieties in the U.S. amid rising consumer interest in healthier snacking choices.
USA – Mondelez International, the maker of the world’s top-selling cookie brand Oreo, has entered the “better-for-you” snack segment with the launch of Oreo Zero Sugar.
The introduction marks the first time the sugar-free varieties will be available in the United States, although the products have already been rolled out in markets such as Europe and China.
Scheduled to reach store shelves in January 2026, the new offering is part of the company’s response to rising consumer interest in what it describes as “mindful indulgence.”
Mondelez said the launch aims to address a gap within the U.S. market for sugar-free sandwich cookies, an area that has remained largely underserved.
Industry research indicates a growing shift in consumer preferences toward healthier snacking. Earlier this year, market research group Circana reported that most Americans are actively seeking snacks they perceive as beneficial to their well-being.
Conagra Brands, the company behind Slim Jim and Orville Redenbacher, similarly noted that Millennials and Generation Z are showing increasing interest in portion-controlled and wellness-oriented snacks.
Michelle Deignan, vice president of marketing for Oreo at Mondelez, stated that the absence of sugar-free options within the sandwich cookie category presented a significant opportunity for the brand.
She said the launch would allow Oreo to “redefine what indulgence can look like” and reach consumers who had previously avoided the category due to dietary considerations.
Mondelez disclosed that it took four years to develop the sugar-free version of the iconic cookie. The formulation combines maltitol, a sugar alcohol found naturally in some fruits and vegetables; polydextrose, a soluble fiber; sucralose, a sweetener derived from sugar; and acesulfame potassium, a synthetic sweetener.
According to Deignan, this combination was selected to replicate the sweetness and texture of sugar while maintaining the traditional Oreo taste and mouthfeel. Oreo Zero Sugar will be available in two varieties: the classic Original and the Double Stuf option.
Financial performance
The launch coincides with a period of weakened demand in North America and Europe, where inflation and elevated cocoa prices have weighed on premium chocolate and snack purchases.
Mondelez, the parent company of Oreo and Cadbury, said persistent cost pressures and softening consumer confidence continue to impact sales.
Consequently, the company has adjusted its full-year 2025 guidance. Mondelez now expects organic net revenue growth of 4% or more, compared to its earlier estimate of about 5%.
It also anticipates a decline of approximately 15% in earnings per share, excluding certain items, a revision from the previously projected 10% decrease.
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