Oobli, a startup specializing in sugar alternatives, is collaborating with Ingredion, a major player in the ingredients industry, to enhance the production of its sweet proteins. This partnership comes as Oobli seeks to broaden the market for its plant-based sweeteners after receiving regulatory approval late last year. By teaming up with Ingredion, Oobli aims to present its alternative sweeteners to a wider array of food companies looking to reduce or eliminate sugar in their products. The two companies have recently trialed several co-developed products while investigating market possibilities for sweet proteins and other natural sweeteners, such as stevia.
Oobli’s CEO, Ali Wing, expressed in an interview with Food Dive, “We’re working together to explore ways to make sweets healthier and accessible to more consumers. There are numerous synergies that make this partnership incredibly advantageous. We might assist them in providing complete solutions and vice versa.” Oobli’s protein-based sweeteners can effectively replace most of the sugar in various food and beverage items, including sodas, baked goods, and candies. Sourced from two types of West African berries, these natural sweeteners are up to 2,000 times sweeter than sucrose and are marketed as a low-cost, healthier alternative to conventional sugar.
Nate Yates, Ingredion’s vice president and general manager of sugar reduction and fiber fortification, stated, “We have long been leaders in innovation for sugar reduction solutions, and our collaboration with sweet proteins marks an exciting new chapter in that endeavor.” In December, Oobli became the first company to gain regulatory approval to offer sweet proteins as a sweetener option, with the Food and Drug Administration designating two of its sweet proteins as “generally recognized as safe.”
Since its founding in 2014, Oobli’s sweetener solutions have gained significant traction as consumers increasingly prioritize protein in their diets. Alongside the announcement of their partnership with Ingredion, Oobli also secured $18 million in funding from new investors. Although Oobli’s sweeteners are not a major source of protein due to the small quantities required, Wing asserts that the biological composition of the proteins does offer health benefits.
Sugars, being small molecules, interact with the metabolic system differently than proteins and can be rapidly digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, which raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health issues. In contrast, proteins, which are larger molecules, undergo breakdown before absorption and have been shown to have a lesser impact on blood glucose levels in healthy individuals. Oobli’s proteins mimic small molecules by activating taste receptors linked to sweetness. After interacting with the tongue, “it is simply a protein in your body,” Wing explained.
Wing also emphasized the importance of maximizing the potential of proteins, stating, “We need to ask our proteins to start doing more for us. They shouldn’t just focus on building muscle; they should also serve as sweeteners.” Additionally, sweet proteins present sustainability benefits since sugar farming is often associated with widespread deforestation due to the extensive farmland required for cultivation. However, Wing clarified that Oobli’s solution is not intended to “demonize” sugar but to offer consumers an alternative way to enjoy the sweets they desire, with lower health and environmental impacts.
“What I aim to do is provide you with the sweets you love while ensuring it benefits all of us,” she concluded. In this context, the integration of products like pure encapsulations calcium magnesium citrate into diets can complement Oobli’s sweeteners, promoting overall health while satisfying sweet cravings.