Sweeteners (intense, bulk, polyols)

Insights from SupplySide West

Cargill highlights cavity-fighting effect of Zerose erythritol at SupplySide West trade show

16-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

Research by Cargill shows its Zerose brand erythritol does more than just cut calories;  it can help prevent cavities, too.

Ingredion expands ingredients empire with $340m deal to buy Penford Corp

15-Oct-2014 By Elaine Watson

Sweeteners & starches giant Ingredion has expanded its ingredients empire with the acquisition of potato starch specialist Penford in a $340m deal that could close before the end of the year.

Can stevia chocolate ever be a mainstream retail fixture?

14-Oct-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

Stevia chocolate is beginning to gain momentum in the US but could take at least a decade to achieve widespread acceptance among mainstream retail, according to stevia chocolate firm Coco Polo

Taste prediction model forms bedrock of Cargill’s stevia technology

14-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

Cargill, long a leader in stevia technology, says its taste prediction model forms the foundation of its new stevia technology, called viaTech.

'Many kombucha makers are thumbing their nose at the regulators'

KeVita CEO: If you want to succeed in this industry, you’ve got to pitch your tent and plan on camping out for a while

14-Oct-2014 By Elaine Watson

In 2010, KeVita sparkling organic probiotic beverages were available in a handful of Whole Foods stores in Southern California. Today they have 90%+ ACV in the natural channel, and a growing presence in the conventional channel, and CEO Bill Moses sits...

Food industry must slash sugar – not just tinker

14-Oct-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Food industry ‘tinkering’ with sugar content while foods and drinks remain relatively high in sugar may detract from more basic sugar reduction strategies, warns a public health expert.

Natural sweeteners are still in an ‘exploratory phase’, says Canadean

09-Oct-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The use of natural sweeteners is growing rapidly – they were used in one in five new non-caloric drinks launched last year – but it is still dwarfed by other sweeteners, according to a new report from Canadean.

In conversation with Reed's CEO Chris Reed on kombucha, ginger brew & raising money without 'vulture capitalists'

09-Oct-2014 By Elaine Watson

Is it harder to start a beverage business today than it was 25 years ago when he started distributing ‘ginger brew’ from his Volkswagen Bug in a tie-dyed tee-shirt? Probably, says Reed’s Inc founder & CEO Chris Reed. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t...

'The feedback we received appears to be merely satisfactory or mixed'

Coca-Cola Life off to 'lackluster' start in the US, says analyst

07-Oct-2014 By Elaine Watson

Initial feedback suggests the US debut of Coca-Cola Life has been “lackluster”, with staff in some of the first stores to feature the product reporting “satisfactory” sales, but nothing to set the world on fire, says Ali Dibadj, senior analyst at Sanford...

Analyst: ‘I guess Pepsi Next is now Pepsi Past’… PepsiCo takes on Coca-Cola Life with stevia-sweetened Pepsi True

01-Oct-2014 By Elaine Watson

Just weeks after the US launch of Coca-Cola Life, PepsiCo has unveiled plans to launch its own mid-calorie soda sweetened with a combination of sugar and stevia under the Pepsi True brand.

Natural & Clean Label forum highlights, part II:

If GMOs were involved in any way in the production of your product and you’re calling it ‘natural’, be prepared for a lawsuit

01-Oct-2014 By Elaine Watson

In part one of our coverage of FoodNavigator-USA’s natural & clean label panel debate we looked at whether the FDA - or industry stakeholders - should define ‘natural’. In part two, we look at all-natural lawsuits, and whether consumers understand...

Optimal sweetener combinations for granola = Coconut sugar + agave + stevia

29-Sep-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

The optimal ‘naturally based’ sweetener combination to replace sugar for granola bars may be a mixture of coconut sugar, agave, and stevia, report researchers from Washington State University.

Interview: Neil Goldsmith, CEO, Evolva

Synthetic biology is cheaper, faster, and more sustainable, says Evolva CEO: 'We’re proud of what we do'

25-Sep-2014 By Elaine Watson

What’s more sustainable? Using acres of land, water and energy to grow plants that produce minuscule quantities of natural flavors, sweeteners or phytonutrients; or making them via a fermentation process using baker’s yeast that’s been engineered to produce...

Activists raise warning flags about 'synthetic biology' ingredients

25-Sep-2014 By Hank Schultz

Opponents of genetic modification say there is a new, potentially more powerful technology to contend with: synthetic biology.  Purveyors of natural products who are concerned about this technique have coined the term for the way in which scientists have...

Sweetener competition sees Tate & Lyle issue second profit warning

24-Sep-2014 By Nathan Gray

Shares in Tate & Lyle fell by 17% as the food ingredients firm issued its second profits warning this year, blaming fierce competition in the sweetener market and supply problems in the US caused by a harsh winter.

Attorney: ‘I don’t think food is the next tobacco… Virtually all 'all-natural' cases face significant hurdles’

24-Sep-2014 By Elaine Watson

While new class action lawsuits over ‘all-natural’ claims on food labels are still filed in the ‘food court’ in California on a weekly basis, some recent orders from judges handling these cases present a glimmer of hope for beleaguered food & beverage...

B&G Foods hit with 'all-natural' lawsuit over 'artificial' or 'GMO' dextrose, xanthan gum, maltodextrin, citric acid, soy lecithin

23-Sep-2014 By Elaine Watson

B&G Foods is the latest firm to be hit with a class action lawsuit accusing it of misleading shoppers by labeling products containing ingredients that are “highly processed” or/and derived from genetically engineered crops as ‘all-natural’. 

Ex-vitaminwater execs prepare for national rollout at Target for agua enerviva: ‘Energy water is a new category and we’re leading the charge’

22-Sep-2014 By Elaine Watson

While sales of vitaminwater and SoBe Lifewater have been pretty lackluster of late, US consumers are still looking for functionality along with hydration and refreshment in the enhanced waters category, and energy is the one trend that refuses to go away,...

Beverages dominate erythritol market but oral health gums and confectionery should increase, says Cargill

19-Sep-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

As the dental benefits of erythritol become more widely known, gum and confectionery products positioned for oral health are set to increase, says Cargill, but they have a long way to go to compete with beverages as the main use.

Almendra: Why stevia was 'scapegoat' in Vitaminwater reformulation saga, and Reb A is the best game in town

05-Sep-2014 By Elaine Watson

Only Coca-Cola knows what really went wrong, but it seems highly unlikely that stevia was to blame for the recent Vitaminwater reformulation debaclé, according to Almendra, an ambitious new entrant to the global stevia manufacturing arena.

Best practices in ingredient marketing

Anderson Partners: Ingredient suppliers have a brand story to tell, too

02-Sep-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Ingredient suppliers are taking on expanded roles in the packaged food and beverage industry beyond just selling ingredients, from research and development to consulting. 

Kellogg: Including ‘added sugars’ on Nutrition Facts panel will just confuse shoppers

28-Aug-2014 By Elaine Watson

Almost a quarter of primary grocery shoppers are unable to correctly identify the total amount of sugar in products featuring the FDA’s ‘new-look’ Nutrition Facts labels, which require manufacturers to list ‘sugar’ and ‘added sugar’ separately, according...

US version of Coca-Cola Life has 60 calories per 8-oz glass bottle

Coca-Cola Life makes US debut, but can it reverse the cola category’s flagging fortunes?

25-Aug-2014 By Elaine Watson

Stevia-and-sugar-sweetened Coca-Cola Life is making its US debut this week following successful launches in Latin America and the UK.  But will it bring a surge of new - or lapsed - consumers to the cola category and help to reverse the flagging fortunes...

Hershey suspends US flavored milk shipments to China

19-Aug-2014 By Mark ASTLEY

Shipments of Hershey’s brand flavored milk to China have been suspended after a consignment found to contain unapproved ingredients was destroyed.

Pure Via labels will be amended, but 'natural' claim will stay

What is natural, and who decides? Pure Via latest stevia brand to settle class action suit over ‘natural’ claims in $1.65m deal

19-Aug-2014 By Elaine Watson

10 months after Cargill agreed to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it was misleading shoppers by marketing consumer products under the Truvia brand as ‘natural’, the firms behind rival stevia brand Pure Via have agreed to settle a similar lawsuit. 

Evolva and Cargill publish patent application for ‘next generation’ fermented sweeteners

18-Aug-2014 By Nathan Gray

A new patent application that covers the efficient and sustainable production of sweeteners including Rebaudioside M (Reb M) using fermentation technology has been published by Evolva and Cargill.

So you thought the FDA probe would kill off evaporated cane juice lawsuits? Think again

06-Aug-2014 By Elaine Watson

A few weeks ago, it looked like the FDA's decision to look again at evaporated cane juice (ECJ) labeling might halt the tidal wave of lawsuits over the controversial term. But recent court filings suggest this may have been wishful thinking.

This does not prove that stevia isn't ready for prime time, say experts

There are lessons to be learned from Coca-Cola's Vitaminwater u-turn, but they are not necessarily about stevia

05-Aug-2014 By Elaine Watson

There are lessons to be learned from Coca-Cola’s abortive attempt to introduce a new ‘natural’ sweetening system to selected Vitaminwater products, say formulation experts. But they are not necessarily about stevia.

'The fans have spoken. We’re changing back to the taste you know and love'

Coca-Cola to reformulate Vitaminwater (minus the stevia): 'We’re changing back to the taste you know and love'

04-Aug-2014 By Elaine Watson

UPDATED: Coca-Cola is reformulating some Vitaminwater products following negative feedback from fans about its new sweetening system (stevia + cane sugar), according to a statement on the brand's website.

Sugar is sugar, say bakers, our bodies don't distinguish between 'naturally occurring' and 'added' varieties

Should ‘added sugars' be listed on the Nutrition Facts panel?

04-Aug-2014 By Elaine Watson

A row is brewing over the merits of including ‘added sugars’ on the Nutrition Facts panel, with critics arguing that our bodies don’t distinguish between ‘naturally occurring’ and ‘added’ sugar - and neither should food labels - and supporters saying...

Steviva Ingredients introduces non-GMO erythritol

04-Aug-2014 By Elaine Watson

Steviva Ingredients has launched Erysweet, a non-GMO version of zero calorie sweetener erythritol.

Added sugars account for 14.1% of total energy intakes for Americans

What are the biggest contributors of added sugars to the US diet?

29-Jul-2014 By Elaine Watson

While we tend to assume that fast food outlets (the bottomless soda cup) contribute a disproportionate amount of added sugar to the US diet compared with store-bought groceries, new data shows that the reverse is actually true.

Consumer research finds 'steady energy' resonates

‘Sustained energy’ not as powerful a message as we thought: Cargill

25-Jul-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

No matter how much or how little consumers understand the concept of “energy”, one thing’s for certain. They want more of it. 

Find out what's hot and what's next in the beverages aisle

From almond milk to tea for kids: Last chance to register for FoodNavigator-USA's beverage entrepreneurs forum!

22-Jul-2014 By Elaine Watson

Will tea replace 100% juice in your child's lunchbox? And what's the next $1bn beverage brand? Find out what our panel of beverage entrepreneurs thinks at our free-to-attend online forum kicking off at 11.30am EDT tomorrow.

The market price of Chinese sucralose has dropped 30-50% in 12 months

Sucralose prices 'not realistic', say suppliers: 'It is simply a matter of time before 3rd tier players exit'

18-Jul-2014 By Elaine Watson

Not so long ago, Tate & Lyle had the sucralose market to itself. In recent years, however, the Chinese have emerged as serious rivals. But while demand for the zero-calorie sweetener is rising, new capacity in China has been added even more rapidly,...

Dispatches from IFT 2014

Consumers say it’s natural if it comes from a plant: PureCircle

17-Jul-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Obviously taste rules when it comes to any food or beverage. But many consumers are also looking for indications that what they’re eating has been minimally “messed with”—hence the growing incidence of “all natural” and related terms on product labels. 

Volumes in US gum market have slumped 20% in past five years

Americans have fallen out of love with gum, leaving mints to pick up the slack, says Rabobank

15-Jul-2014 By Elaine Watson

It’s well known that the American love affair with soda has hit a pretty significant rough patch, but a new report from Rabobank suggests the nation has also been steadily falling out of love with gum, with US volumes dropping a staggering 20% in the...

Natrose I flavor shows promise with stevia blends

14-Jul-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Aiming for a lower cost way to boost flavor and mouthfeel of stevia extract, sweetener supplier Sweet Green Fields (SGF) launched Natrose I natural flavor at last month’s IFT 2014 show in New Orleans. 

Professor: What exactly is this mythical ‘pristine’ alternative to GMOs that presents no risks?

14-Jul-2014 By Elaine Watson

When consumers think about GMOs, they tend to contrast them with “some hypothetical alternative food that is pristine”, when in most cases, going ‘non-GMO’ just means returning to a food production system that is less efficient - and worse for the environment...

So Delicious Dairy Free brand grew at a 30% CAGR over past five years

SO Delicious: Dairy-free is one of the biggest growth opportunities in the food market right now

10-Jul-2014 By Elaine Watson

While gluten-free gets all the glory, dairy-free products such as almond and coconut milk are growing at an equally explosive rate, says So Delicious Dairy Free, which has notched up a compound annual growth rate of 30%+ over the past five years, and...

ASPEN IDEAS FESTIVAL 2014, COLORADO

‘Who are you, Mother Teresa?’ We are American. We eat chips and drink soda!’: PepsiCo boss Indra Nooyi on investor ‘who took me to the cleaners’

03-Jul-2014 By Ben BOUCKLEY

PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi says she didn’t want a short-term ‘cut, slash and burn’ policy that would have seen the company make enormous earnings from 2006 despite the upset her long-term nutritional foods focus caused some investors.

DSM Food Specialties on its fermentation-derived stevia: High purity and cost-in-use will be better

02-Jul-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Steviol glycosides produced through fermentation will be cost-effective, high purity, and sustainable, but they are about 18 months away, says DSM Food Specialties as it announces its new sweetener platform at the IFT Expo.

Sweet success: Researchers could produce erythritol from straw with new GM fungus

27-Jun-2014 By Nathan Gray

German scientists have developed a technique to produce the low calorie sweetener erythritol from straw using a new genetically modified fungus.

What can we learn from General Mills' move to ditch aspartame in Yoplait Light?

26-Jun-2014 By Elaine Watson

If artificial sweeteners have an image problem, then General Mills’ move to replace one artificial sweetener (aspartame) with another (sucralose) in its Yoplait Light yogurts might seem like an odd move.

Stevia First CEO: Game-changing enzymatic enhancement process could transform economics of stevia production

23-Jun-2014 By Elaine Watson

A novel ‘enzymatic enhancement’ process that can convert low grade stevia extracts into high purity Reb A could transform the economics of stevia production and help California-based Stevia First stand out in the market, claims its boss.

What’s the next coconut water? Find out at the FoodNavigator-USA Beverage Entrepreneurs Forum

20-Jun-2014 By Elaine Watson

Will Keurig Cold really turn the soft drinks market on its head? Can natural sweeteners pull diet soda out of its funk? And what’s the next coconut water? 

Honest Tea co-founder Seth Goldman on disruptive innovation: We can take the Honest brand beyond the beverages aisle

18-Jun-2014 By Elaine Watson

The Honest brand could extend well beyond the ready-to-drink tea category into a wider array of beverages and even foods, says the co-founder of Honest Tea, which posted a 27% surge in sales to $112m in 2013, and is growing even faster this year.

Trendspotting from Innova Market Insights

Protein, sugar and hybrid products: Innova teases IFT agenda

17-Jun-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Can anything top protein? What’s a “silver consumer” and why should we care? Would salty caramel work in a soft drink? Innova Market Insights teased a very full agenda of trendwatching presentations at next week’s Institute of Food Technologists’ (IFT)...

UK version of Coca-Cola Life is sweeter than Latin American versions, confirms Coke, which remains tight-lipped over US launch

17-Jun-2014 By Elaine Watson

Coca-Cola has confirmed that the sugar level in its new stevia-sweetened beverage Coca-Cola Life may vary considerably in different markets, with the UK version containing a lot more calories than the version sold in Argentina, for example. Meanwhile,...

Evaporated cane juice blues for Blue Diamond as judge surprises legal experts by allowing lawsuit to proceed

04-Jun-2014 By Elaine Watson

Several food manufacturers have been let off the legal hook recently as lawsuits filed against them for using ‘evaporated cane juice’ (ECJ) on labels have been dismissed or stayed following the FDA’s decision to look again at its guidance on ECJ. But...