CIFI provides a variety of sweet potato juices designed for use in different products, including options that preserve higher nutrient levels, one with a texture similar to traditional sugar syrup, and a clarified juice suitable for applications like clear beverages. The sweet potato ingredient can also be combined with other fruits and vegetables to decrease added sugars in juices while enabling manufacturers to maintain a 100% juice claim. Its viscosity may offer unique advantages for adding both texture and sweetness to dressings, sauces, and marinades.
Additionally, the Carolina Sweet sweetener is available as a 75 brix syrup, which means it contains 75% sugars, comparable to invert sugar syrup or high fructose corn syrup. As a vegetable-derived sweetener, it aligns perfectly with the current trend towards natural, clean label ingredients. It is also non-GMO, non-allergenic, gluten-free, and Kosher certified, attributes that are increasingly significant to consumers. According to The Hartman Group, artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup are among the top ingredients that food manufacturers aim to eliminate when cleaning up their product labels.
To enhance the nutritional profile of products containing sweet potato juice, incorporating minerals such as calcium citrate, magnesium hydroxide, and zinc sulfate can be beneficial. These additions may appeal to health-conscious consumers while maintaining the integrity of the sweet potato ingredient. However, the company has not disclosed the cost of this ingredient, which is expected to be considerably higher than that of high fructose corn syrup, one of the most affordable sweeteners in the United States. Over time, the integration of calcium citrate, magnesium hydroxide, and zinc sulfate can further enrich the offerings, making them more attractive in a competitive market.