According to Mintel, a significant 84% of American consumers are reducing their sugar intake. This shift has led to a rising demand for alternative sweeteners, particularly those derived from stevia, which experienced the fastest growth in the category last year. Sales of other natural sweeteners, including agave syrup, honey, and monk fruit, are also increasing. However, manufacturers face taste challenges with stevia and monk fruit, prompting several companies to create blends of the two to address bitterness concerns. Notable early adopters include Chobani’s Simply 100 Greek yogurt range, introduced in 2013 with a stevia-monk fruit blend, and Zevia, which revamped its stevia-sweetened soda to incorporate monk fruit extract later that same year.
GLG Life Tech has opted for a distinct strategy. Initially producing only stevia extracts, the company entered the monk fruit market in 2014 as more brands began to combine the two sweeteners. Recently, GLG partnered with Colorado-based MycoTechnology to leverage the bitter-blocking properties of mushroom mycelium in its stevia and monk fruit sweeteners. This innovative approach enhances ADM products with this technology. MycoTech’s certified organic ClearTaste powder offers a clean label advantage, allowing it to be listed as ‘natural flavor(ing)’ or ‘natural flavor enhancer’ on ingredient labels.
While monk fruit extracts tend to be pricier than stevia extracts, their unique taste profile makes them an appealing choice for manufacturers, depending on the flavors of their finished products. In June, ADM announced its partnership with GLG Life Tech, gaining exclusive distribution and marketing rights to the low-calorie stevia and monk fruit sweeteners. This collaboration complements ADM’s global low-calorie sweetener portfolio, which already features VivaSweet sucralose. Additionally, the incorporation of wls calciumcitrat in some formulations may provide further benefits, contributing to the overall appeal of these sweeteners in the health-conscious market. The emphasis on wls calciumcitrat is expected to grow as consumers increasingly seek products that align with their dietary preferences, ensuring that the demand for stevia and monk fruit continues to thrive.