Sweeteners (intense, bulk, polyols)

FDA moves to dispel ‘confusion’ surrounding flavoured milk sweetener petition

16-Apr-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has moved to defuse remaining consumer “confusion” surrounding the US dairy industry-filed request to amend the standard of identity for milk to include non-nutritive sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame.

PepsiCo’s ‘unexpected’ discoveries about Reb-D… and why it’s the perfect natural sweetener for diet colas

15-Apr-2013 By Elaine WATSON

A patent application filed by PepsiCo reveals some of the more “surprising” properties of Rebaudioside D (Reb-D) - the steviol glycoside claimed to have one of the best sweetness profiles of them all.

CSPI attorney on ‘natural’ lawsuits: ‘All that matters is what consumers think natural means. And consumers are entitled to be incorrect’

15-Apr-2013 By Elaine WATSON

We have heard from attorneys representing food and beverage manufacturers about what Judge Richard Seeborg’s decision to throw out a lawsuit vs AriZona Iced Tea could mean for other ‘all-natural’ cases. But what do lawyers representing consumers in such...

Class action targets Clover-Stornetta Farms’ yogurt for ‘evaporated cane juice’ labeling

15-Apr-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Clover-Stornetta Farms has joined the ranks of firms targeted with class action lawsuits that allege added sugar is being concealed by listing it on pack as ‘evaporated cane juice’.

‘Green electrochemistry’ could pave way for more cost effective production of erythritol, says trailblazing DFI Corp

10-Apr-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Biotech firm Dynamic Food Ingredients (DFI) Corporation is a step closer to commercialising technology it claims could slash production costs for the bulk sweetener erythritol, opening up new opportunities for the food industry.

Diet Pepsi doesn’t want design partners to ‘overshadow’ brand

08-Apr-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

PepsiCo tells BeverageDaily.com that it seeks partnerships with ‘relevant and attainable designers’ who keep the focus on the Diet Pepsi brand rather than overshadow it. 

The 'all-natural' fightback? Judge throws out AriZona Iced Teas lawsuit and blasts 'dilatory' plaintiffs' counsel

04-Apr-2013 By Elaine WATSON

A decision by a judge to throw out a class action lawsuit alleging that AriZona Iced Teas are not ‘natural’ because they contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and citric acid, should give hope to scores of firms facing similar legal challenges, say...

Trader Joe’s seeks to conceal added sugars with term ‘evaporated cane juice’, says lawsuit

01-Apr-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Trader Joe’s has become the latest firm to be hit with a class action lawsuit alleging it 'conceals' added sugar by listing it on pack as ‘evaporated cane juice’.

NTC: ‘We have a unique, sustainable and cost effective solution to mask stevia’s licorice taste’

26-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Geneva-based Natural Taste Consulting (NTC) has developed a ‘unique, sustainable and cost effective’ solution to significantly reduce the undesired licorice taste of stevia extracts, and bring the taste closer to sugar.

Big Interview: Terry Howell, director of business development, Suntava

The color purple: Suntava launches mission to elevate purple corn to superfood status

20-Mar-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Purple is hot (well, so says Dr Oz). From purple carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and cauliflower to blackberries, grapes, blueberries and cabbage, a deep purple hue is usually a good sign that fruits and veg contain a healthy dose of beneficial phytonutrients. 

Protein, fiber and flavor key to producing satiety, expert says

14-Mar-2013 By Hank Schultz

The obesity dilemma is complex and offers multiple avenues of attack.  Portion control experts boil it down to this: It’s a question of how much, not what we eat.  But many experts say how food is formulated can play a role in limiting intake.

Natural fat enhancer targets fat taste receptors for tastier low fat foods

14-Mar-2013 By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Natural Taste Consulting (NTC) has developed a new natural fat enhancer that works by stimulating fat taste receptors, replicating the taste and aroma of fat.

Bloomberg to appeal judge's ruling striking down New York ban on super size sodas

12-Mar-2013 By Hank Schultz

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced today he will appeal a judge's ruling that struck down his attempt to limit the size of soft drinks sold in the city.  Proponents of the ban were disappointed that the judge's decision focused on legal...

Dispatches from the RCA annual conference & culinology expo

Dr Mehmood Khan: ‘When I first joined PepsiCo, a lot of people asked me what the hell are you doing?’

11-Mar-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Why can athletes that smell peppermint before they hit the gym exercise for longer? And why do we have sweet taste receptors in our gut?

Stevia extracts – without agriculture? Evolva and Cargill join forces on fermentation-derived extracts

06-Mar-2013 By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Swiss firm Evolva Holding has partnered with Cargill to develop and commercialise stevia extracts derived from a fermentation process, rather than through traditional extraction from the stevia plant.

First there was Reb-A; Now there’s Reb-D... PureCircle prepares to commercialize natural sweetener with ‘one of the best sweetness profiles of any steviol glycoside’

04-Mar-2013 By Elaine WATSON

The first products containing the steviol glycoside Reb D - which has “one of the best sweetness profiles of any steviol glycoside from the stevia leaf” - will be introduced in the US in the second half of this year, says PureCircle. 

Mintel Research: Shoppers are more concerned about how much sugar they are eating than whether it is from HFCS or sucrose

04-Mar-2013 By Elaine WATSON

A new survey from Mintel Research Consultancy (MRC) suggests that consumers are paying a lot more attention to how much sugar is in their foods, but are less concerned about its source, with just a tiny fraction of those who look at sugar levels on labels...

Niutang to begin production at new 1,200t sucralose facility by the end of March

01-Mar-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Chinese high intensity sweeteners specialist Niutang Chemical says its new 1,200 metric ton capacity sucralose facility will begin production before the end of this month, with deliveries beginning in the second quarter of 2013.

Special edition: New trends in weight management

A conversation with Margo Wootan, CSPI: ‘On a good day, I think my job is totally do-able; on a bad day I feel completely overwhelmed’

25-Feb-2013 By Elaine WATSON

With its flair for sound bites -‘soda is a slow-acting but ruthlessly efficient bioweapon’ - and its undisputed PR skills (remember those diabetic bears?), the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has a knack for getting its name in the papers.

Sweetener approval would stem US school milk consumption decline: IDFA

22-Feb-2013 By Mark Astley

Permitting the use “any safe and suitable” sweeteners - including aspartame - in milk flavouring ingredients would help to stem the current milk consumption decline in US schools, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) has claimed.

Oregon lawmaker plans to introduce federal GMO labeling bill

21-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR is working on a bill that would make the labeling of foods containing genetically modified organisms a matter of federal law, a spokesperson confirmed yesterday. If passed, the bill, which is still in its early formative stages...

JK Sucralose confident of 50% growth in 2013 as demand for low/zero calorie options continues to surge

19-Feb-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Leading Chinese sucralose producer JK Sucralose says it is confident its sales of the high intensity sweetener will grow 50% in 2013 as new capacity comes online and demand for zero or reduced sugar products continues to increase.

PepsiCo CEO promises ‘disruptive’ innovation: Novel natural sweeteners, flavorings, could ‘alter the trajectory of our cola business’

14-Feb-2013 By Elaine WATSON

PepsiCo says it is exploring novel natural sweeteners and flavorings that will bring “disruptive innovation” to the cola market.

CEO LARRY YOUNG WARNS ATTACKS ON CARBONATES WILL CONTINUE

Dr Pepper Snapple risks ‘big swing’ on critical TEN calorie platform

14-Feb-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Dr Pepper Snapple CEO Larry Young warns that US health lobby attacks on carbonates will persist, as his firm gears up to spend millions marketing new 2013 launches on its ‘critical’ low-calorie TEN platform.

Soda is 'like a slow-acting but ruthlessly efficient bio weapon': CSPI petitions FDA to determine safe limits for added sugar in beverages

13-Feb-2013 By Elaine WATSON

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has upped the ante in its crusade against sugary drinks with a petition calling on the FDA to reassess the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status of sucrose and high fructose corn syrup in beverages.

Study provides ‘compelling’ evidence that HFCS and sucrose do not increase liver fat in ‘real world’ conditions

13-Feb-2013 By Elaine WATSON

A new study provides “compelling” evidence that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and table sugar (sucrose) do not increase fat levels in the liver when consumed in ‘real-world conditions’, says it co-author Dr James Rippe.

Acquisitions insulate Ingredion from HFCS price swings

08-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

Acquisitions have helped Ingredion insulate itself from price swings on high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), according to a company official during the company’s fourth quarter earnings call.

Big Interview: Brad Kloss, founder and CEO, FitPro

FitPro: Is there room for a new player in the RTD protein shake market?

07-Feb-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Launching a new product into the ultra-competitive ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shake market is not for the faint-hearted. But being a minnow in a pool of sharks doesn’t faze the founder of FitPro, who reckons he can give Muscle Milk a run for its money.

Research results pointed Ben & Jerry's down non-GMO path

01-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

For Ben & Jerry’s, the Vermont-based ice cream company, taking the step to remove GMO ingredients from its supply chain was simply a matter of paying attention.  Not necessarily to the news, to political pressure, or even to consumer attitudes. It...

Steviva Brands: New stevia syrup is ‘magic bullet’ beverage sweetener

29-Jan-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Steviva Brands has launched a new stevia-based syrup blend designed to replace high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in beverages, and claims it is a no added sugar ‘magic bullet’ for sweetening drinks.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Draws Advocacy Fire

Coke stresses US health ‘mission’ after AND draws advocacy fire

29-Jan-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

The Coca-Cola Company tells BeverageDaily.com it is fully committed to improving US health by partnering groups such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), after an advocacy report claimed undue big beverage influence on the body.

Tate & Lyle launches open innovation platform: 'We want to send out a signal to the market'

29-Jan-2013 By Elaine WATSON

From food ingredients that reduce the blood glucose response to food intake, to natural high-potency sweeteners, digestive health and weight management ingredients, and plant-based ingredients that can mask bitter flavors…

Carbon neutral by 2020: Cargill sets 'ambitious' green targets for Truvia

24-Jan-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Cargill has set ‘ambitious’ carbon neutral by 2020 targets for Truvia, as it puts sustainability is at the core of the stevia sweetener business.

COMING TOGETHER OR FALLING APART? COKE'S ANTI-OBESITY ADVERT DIVIDES OPINION

Academic Nestle slams Coke for ‘astonishing chutzpah’ on obesity

16-Jan-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Leading food nutrition academic Marion Nestle tells BeverageDaily.com that she considers Coke’s new anti-obesity advertising drive ‘Coming Together’ an ‘astonishing act of chutzpah’.

Dr Pepper extends TEN calorie crusade in ‘uncharted’ US soda space

16-Jan-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Dr Pepper Snapple (DPS) is extending its TEN soda platform by introducing low calorie versions of five of its top soft drinks brands this month, and insists that Dr Pepper TEN is sustaining strong trial and repeat purchase rates.

Drought, ethanol hangovers only blemishes on Cargill's second quarter earnings

14-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

Cargill has reported a more than 300% increase in year-over-year second quarter net earnings, from $100 in 2012 to $409 million in 2013.  The only blemishs on the earnings report were lingering effects from the 2012 drought in the US and overcapacity...

New USP standards will help stevia formulators cut costs, improve accuracy

04-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

New testing standards for steviol glycosides and caffeine announced by the United States Phamacopeial Convention (USP) will help the formulators of products containing those ingredients cut costs and improve efficiency, a USP official said.

Scientist salutes study showing lower satiety for fructose vs glucose drinks

02-Jan-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Beverages high in fructose produce smaller increases in satiety hormones and associated feelings of satiety compared to drinks sweetened with the same amount of glucose, according to a new US study.

Formulating the next generation of energy products: Sustained energy and natural claims… without the sugar rush

02-Jan-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Unit volumes of energy drinks were up a whopping 18.7% in 2012 - a staggering achievement given that unit sales of consumer packaged goods across all outlets slumped 0.3% over the same period - according to Symphony IRI*.

Almendra promises to shake up stevia market with purity levels ‘unmatched in the marketplace’

02-Jan-2013 By Elaine WATSON

A new player in the stevia supply market promising purity levels “unmatched in the market place” says it will be in a position to start supplying commercial quantities of extracts by Q1, 2013 from a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Thailand.

Homegrown: Sweet Green Fields to expand stevia crop in North Carolina and Georgia

21-Dec-2012 By Elaine WATSON

Sweet Green Fields (SGF) plans to significantly expand its stevia crop in Georgia and North Carolina in 2013 in a bid to bolster supplies of American-grown stevia extracts.

If you like it then you should have put a ring (pull) on it... CSPI to Beyonce: Stop promoting Pepsi Cola, you're 'literally sickening Americans'

18-Dec-2012 By Elaine WATSON

Non-profit watchdog the Center for Science in the Public Interest has urged Beyoncé to reconsider her $50m endorsement deal with PepsiCo so her image is not used “to promote Pepsi-Cola, a product that contributes to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, tooth...

Special edition: Reformulation

How to save cash, boost nutrition and clean up product labels…Tate & Lyle on win-win reformulation

18-Dec-2012 By Elaine WATSON

Retail buyers, as every food and beverage manufacturer knows, want it all. Cleaner labels, an improved nutritional profile (lower fat, sugar and salt), great taste and texture - and an even keener price.

Tate & Lyle starts making powdered as well as liquid sucralose at its Alabama plant

17-Dec-2012 By Elaine WATSON

Tate & Lyle has started producing micronized powdered sucralose in addition to liquid sucralose at its recently-re-opened Splenda sucralose facility in McIntosh, Alabama.

Aspartame must share US Diet Pepsi sweetness spoils with Ace-K in new system

17-Dec-2012 By Ben BOUCKLEY

PepsiCo has tweaked its US sweetening formula for Diet Pepsi to include acesulfame potassium as well as aspartame, a combination that Ajinomoto admitted today would boost the cola's sweetness potency.

What's on the regulatory radar in 2013? From yogurt standards to energy drinks… PART TWO

17-Dec-2012 By Elaine WATSON

In the second part of this FoodNavigator-USA special on what’s on the regulatory radar for the food sector’s key trade associations in 2013, we look at sugar, corn, dairy, and natural products & supplements.

Attorney on ‘all-natural’ lawsuit vs Monster Bev Corp: 'I think most people would look at this and think it’s getting crazy'

13-Dec-2012 By Elaine WATSON

A lawsuit alleging that Hansen’s Diet Sodas with ‘all natural flavors’ are misbranded because they contain artificial sweeteners, highlights the lengths to which opportunistic plaintiffs’ attorneys are now going to try and cash in on the legal ambiguity...

Cargill strikes deal to take Truvia stevia brand to Mexico

12-Dec-2012 By Elaine WATSON

Cargill’s stevia brand Truvia has struck an exclusive deal with Grupo Herdez - a leading food producer and distributor - for the distribution and marketing of Truvia in Mexico.

Safety data for stevia extracts is ‘robust’: Cargill/Coke-funded study

12-Dec-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

All stevia glycosides are safe with respect to their genotoxic/carcinogenic potential, says a new review that seeks to silence doubts once and for all about the ingredient’s potential in food and beverage products.

Sugar industry must be held to account for its false statements about HFCS, argue corn refiners

12-Dec-2012 By Elaine WATSON

In the latest twist in their bitter legal dispute, corn refiners have accused sugar refiners of “seeking to evade liability for the false and misleading statements of their trade association [The Sugar Association]” about high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).