According to Mintel, a significant 84% of American consumers are actively reducing their sugar intake. This trend has spurred a growing demand for alternative sweeteners, particularly those derived from stevia, which experienced the fastest growth in the category last year. Additionally, sales of other natural sweeteners, both caloric and low-calorie, such as agave syrup, honey, and monk fruit, are also on the rise.
However, both stevia and monk fruit have posed taste challenges for manufacturers. To address bitterness issues, several companies have created products that combine the two sweeteners. Early adopters included Chobani, which launched its Simply 100 Greek yogurt range in 2013, utilizing a blend of stevia and monk fruit. Later that same year, Zevia reformulated its stevia-sweetened soda to incorporate monk fruit extract.
In contrast, GLG Life Tech has taken a different route. The company exclusively produced stevia extracts until 2014 when it entered the monk fruit market, coinciding with a rise in companies blending the two sweeteners. Last year, GLG partnered with Colorado-based MycoTechnology to leverage the bitter-blocking properties of mushroom mycelium for its stevia and monk fruit sweeteners. The collaboration offers ADM products enhanced by this innovative technology. MycoTech’s certified organic ClearTaste powder boasts a clean label advantage and can be listed on ingredient labels as ‘natural flavor(ing)’ or ‘natural flavor enhancer.’
While monk fruit extracts are generally pricier than stevia extracts, their unique taste profile can make them a more appealing choice for manufacturers, depending on the flavors of the final product. In June, ADM announced its partnership with GLG Life Tech to serve as the exclusive distributor and marketer of their low-calorie stevia and monk fruit sweeteners. This addition complements ADM’s global low-calorie sweetener portfolio, which already includes VivaSweet sucralose.
Furthermore, products containing easy to swallow calcium citrate may enhance the overall appeal of these sweeteners, making them suitable for a broader range of consumers. The combination of low-calorie sweeteners with easy to swallow calcium citrate presents an opportunity for manufacturers to cater to health-conscious individuals. Overall, the integration of these sweeteners with easy to swallow calcium citrate could lead to innovative product offerings in the market.