Supporting manufacturers in using stevia sweeteners

Ingredion has launched a five-part video series to help manufacturers harness the potential of stevia sweeteners and functional build-back (FBB) ingredients in sugar reduction formulations.

The series explores enhanced understanding of the stevia leaf, from its sustainability and versatility to the identification of new steviol glycosides (stevia lead molecules), such as Reb M, which contributes to a more balanced sweetness without bitter off-notes. Other topics explored include the natural origin of stevia and why it is suitable to achieve sugar reduction goals while meeting health demand.

Helen Hood, Sugar Reduction and Specialty Sweeteners Platform Lead EMEA at Ingredion, said manufacturers are under increasing pressure to make products that support healthy lifestyles. Products must also meet taste, texture and nutritional demands, and may support label claims such as ‘plant-based’, ‘natural origin’ and ‘no added sugar’. Innovation in stevia is creating opportunities for manufacturers to develop products that meet these expectations.

“Utilising our extensive knowledge and experience of the steviol glycosides within the leaf, PureCircle by Ingredion have developed optimal solutions for many applications using combinations of steviol glycosides, to deliver the right balance between sweetness and eating experience,” Hood said.

The company’s approach considers every aspect of product development, according to Hood.

The videos acknowledge how new innovations, such as bioconversion technology, are driving the affordability of premium stevia molecules like Reb M, as well as how Ingredion’s FBB ingredients, such as polyols and soluble corn fibre, help replace the bulking, texture and mouthfeel lost when reducing sugar. These FBB ingredients can be used in combination with PureCircle’s enhanced stevia solutions and flavour modifiers to deliver sugar-reduced products.

The release of the videos follows the EU Commission’s authorisation of PureCircle’s Reb M, Reb D and Reb AM steviol glycosides produced via bioconversion in November 2022. As a result, PureCircle offers Reb M and a broad portfolio of plant-based, stevia solutions to manufacturers across the EU.

To watch the videos: https://www.ingredion.com/emea/en-uk/solving-a-challenge/challenges/sugar-reduction-specialty-sweeteners.

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