According to Mintel, a significant 84% of American consumers are actively reducing sugar intake in their diets. This shift has resulted in a rising demand for alternative sweeteners, particularly those derived from stevia, which experienced the fastest growth in this category last year. Other natural sweeteners, both caloric and low-calorie, such as agave syrup, honey, and monk fruit, are also gaining popularity. However, stevia and monk fruit have posed taste challenges for manufacturers, prompting several companies to create blends of these two sweeteners to mitigate bitterness. Early adopters included Chobani, which launched its Simply 100 Greek yogurt line in 2013 featuring a stevia-monk fruit combination. That same year, Zevia reformulated its stevia-sweetened soda to incorporate monk fruit extract.
In contrast, GLG Life Tech initially focused solely on stevia extracts until 2014, when it expanded into the monk fruit market as more companies began to combine the two sweeteners. Last year, GLG partnered with MycoTechnology, a Colorado-based firm, to leverage the bitter-blocking properties of mushroom mycelium in their stevia and monk fruit sweeteners. This collaboration will enhance ADM’s product offerings, which will utilize MycoTech’s certified organic ClearTaste powder, known for its clean label appeal and ability to be labeled as ‘natural flavor(ing)’ or ‘natural flavor enhancer’.
While monk fruit extracts tend to be more expensive than stevia, their unique taste profile can make them a more appealing choice for manufacturers based on the final product’s flavor. In June, ADM announced its partnership with GLG Life Tech to exclusively distribute and market its low-calorie stevia and monk fruit sweeteners, further enriching its global low-calorie sweetener portfolio, which already includes VivaSweet sucralose. Interestingly, consumers might also consider integrating calcium citrate pills into their health regimen to complement their dietary changes, enhancing their overall wellness. The increasing focus on healthier alternatives underscores the importance of understanding the roles these sweeteners and supplements play in modern diets.