WASHINGTON, D.C.: Consumers reaching for healthier snacks will soon find a new option on U.S. shelves – sugar-free Oreos.

Mondelez said it will introduce Oreo Zero Sugar and Oreo Double Stuf Zero Sugar nationwide in January, marking the first time the company has offered a sugar-free version of its iconic cookie in the U.S.

The products, already available in Europe and China, will become a permanent addition to the Oreo lineup. Mondelez said the move responds to rising demand for "mindful indulgence" and fills a gap in the U.S. market for sugar-free sandwich cookies.

Industry analysts have noted a broader shift toward wellness-focused snacking. A Circana report earlier this year found most Americans are choosing snacks they consider "good for them." Conagra Brands, maker of Slim Jim and various popcorn products, recently said Millennials and Gen Z consumers are especially drawn to portion-controlled and health-oriented options.

Zero-sugar products in other categories have seen similar momentum. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, introduced in 2017, posted a nine percent sales jump last year, far outpacing the two percent gain for original Coke. Mondelez faces competition from sugar-free offerings made by Hershey, including versions of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, as well as Voortman's line of sugar-free wafer cookies.

Mondelez said it spent four years developing the zero-sugar Oreos to ensure they closely match the taste of the originals. The cookies use maltitol, a sugar alcohol found naturally in some fruits and vegetables; polydextrose, a soluble fiber; sucralose, a sugar-derived sweetener; and acesulfame potassium, a synthetic sweetener.

Comparing nutrition labels is not straightforward because serving sizes differ between the products. A 22.6-gram serving of Oreo Zero Sugar contains 90 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, and 16 grams of carbohydrates. A serving of regular Oreos, defined as three cookies, or 34 grams, has 160 calories, seven grams of fat, and 25 grams of carbohydrates.

The most apparent distinction is added sugars: regular Oreos contain 13 grams per serving, or 26 percent of the recommended daily amount. Zero Sugar Oreos contain none.