Stevia has emerged as a frontrunner in the natural sugar alternative market, continuing to expand its presence for several reasons. The stevia plant, originally from South America, is both sustainable and easy to cultivate in diverse environments. Research indicates that the global stevia market was valued at $347 million in 2014 and is projected to rise to $565.2 million by 2020. With consumer packaged goods (CPGs) increasingly moving away from sugar, PureCircle is committed to facilitating the incorporation of stevia into products.
The anticipated revamp of the Nutrition Facts label, which will mandate that all food items explicitly state added sugars, is expected to drive a significant increase in stevia use within CPGs. As stevia is naturally sweeter than sugar, smaller quantities are required. Additionally, several varieties of stevia are shelf-stable and can withstand heating up to 392 degrees Fahrenheit. The natural sweetener can be combined with other sweeteners, making it versatile for a wide range of food and beverage applications.
When replacing sugar with alternative ingredients, developing new recipes can be time-consuming, as there is no universal stevia solution that meets all requirements. This bespoke approach to formulating sweeteners could prove invaluable as CPGs across various sectors transition to sugar alternatives, including considerations like calcium citrate vs calcium lactate. The discussion around calcium citrate vs calcium lactate can also play a role in the formulation of health-oriented products that utilize stevia. Ultimately, as the market evolves, the integration of stevia alongside other functional ingredients, including calcium citrate vs calcium lactate, will be crucial for product innovation.