In an exciting development for the food and beverage industry, Tate & Lyle, a renowned name in sugar substitutes with products like Splenda®, TASTEVA® Stevia, and DOLCIA PRIMA® Allulose, has joined forces with BioHarvest Sciences, a leader in sustainable plant-based solutions. This collaboration promises to usher in a new generation of low and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) that not only taste great but also align with the growing demand for natural and sustainable products. As consumers increasingly seek healthier options amidst rising health concerns, this partnership may very well lead to what many are calling the ‘Holy Grail’ of sweeteners.
Tate & Lyle boasts over a century’s experience in sweetener development, giving it a foundational understanding of consumer preferences and market dynamics. Abigail Storms, Senior Vice President of the Global Sweetener and Fibre Platform at Tate & Lyle, emphasizes the company’s commitment to innovation in sugar reduction. By teaming up with BioHarvest, they aim to harness cutting-edge sustainable technology that enhances the quality and appeal of their sweetening products. BioHarvest’s CEO, Ilan Sobel, expressed that the unique Botanical Synthesis technique they employ allows for the economical and efficient production of potent plant molecules. The fusion of these two organizations’ strengths forms a promising intersection of taste and sustainability, reflecting the future of the food industry.
The U.S. sweetener landscape has undergone significant transformations over the past few decades. From the introduction of aspartame in Diet Coke in the early 1980s to the rise of natural sweeteners like Stevia, consumer tastes have continually evolved. As the demand for healthier alternatives rises, the market for non-sugar sweeteners is projected to exceed $408 billion by 2032, according to Innova Market Insights. Despite this growth, a recent study points out a substantial opportunity in the LNCS sector, with a mere 8% of sweetened products solely utilizing these alternatives. This indicates a gap where consumer preferences are not fully aligned with product offerings, particularly in light of the growing obesity crisis and increasing scrutiny on added sugars.
At the heart of consumer decision-making regarding food and beverages lies taste. The Georgetown University study highlighted that a staggering 97% of consumers prioritize taste above all else in their food choices. Unfortunately, despite advancements over the years, many consumers continue to avoid LNCS predominantly due to negative taste experiences. Data from the International Food Information Council (IFIC) reveal that the perception of bitterness and aftertastes remains a significant barrier to acceptance. However, BioHarvest’s innovative synthesis technology presents an opportunity to revolutionize this aspect by fine-tuning the sweet-to-bitter ratio in sweeteners, potentially leading to a more enjoyable taste profile.
Consumer demand for plant-based products continues to surge, with studies indicating that individuals prefer natural sweeteners like Stevia and monk fruit over artificial alternatives by a margin of two to one. The clean label movement emphasizes a demand for non-GMO, plant-derived ingredients, and the products developed from the Tate & Lyle and BioHarvest partnership promise to meet these preferences. This collaboration not only aligns with current consumer sentiments but also positions the new sweeteners as safer and healthier choices.
Today’s consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of sustainability in their food choices. According to a Sodexo International Sustainable Food Barometer survey, 72% of Americans view a more sustainable eating approach as urgent. The innovative technology produced by BioHarvest enables the extraction of the desired plant benefits with minimal land destruction, leading to a significantly lower ecological footprint. By utilizing fewer resources, including water and fertilizers, this collaboration promises to meet consumer expectations for sustainability while delivering high-quality sweeteners.
The quest for the ultimate sweetener has persisted for decades, blending evolving consumer preferences with nutritional science. The collaboration between Tate & Lyle and BioHarvest Sciences signifies a significant step towards realizing the sweetener of everyone’s dreams: one that is delicious, plant-based, and sustainable. By melding BioHarvest’s proprietary techniques with Tate & Lyle’s substantive industry knowledge, there is a genuine optimism that this partnership will yield sweetening solutions that satisfy the health-conscious consumer without sacrificing flavor. The anticipation around this collaboration is palpable, and many are eager to see what the future holds for this evolving segment of the food industry.
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