According to Mintel, a significant 84% of American consumers are actively reducing their sugar intake. This trend has fueled a rising demand for alternative sweeteners, particularly those derived from stevia, which experienced the fastest growth in this category last year. Additionally, sales of other natural sweeteners—both caloric and low-calorie—such as agave syrup, honey, and monk fruit, are also increasing. However, manufacturers have encountered taste challenges with stevia and monk fruit, prompting several companies to create products that blend these two sweeteners to address bitterness concerns. For instance, Chobani introduced its Simply 100 Greek yogurt line in 2013, featuring a stevia-monk fruit blend. Similarly, Zevia revamped its stevia-sweetened soda later that year to incorporate monk fruit extract.
GLG Life Tech has opted for a different strategy. Initially focusing solely on stevia extracts, the company expanded into the monk fruit market in 2014 as more firms began combining these sweeteners. Last year, GLG Life Tech partnered with MycoTechnology, a Colorado-based company, to utilize the bitter-blocking properties of mushroom mycelium in their stevia and monk fruit sweeteners. This innovative approach is expected to enhance the benefits of their products. Additionally, MycoTech’s certified organic ClearTaste powder boasts a clean label advantage, allowing it to be listed as ‘natural flavor(ing)’ or ‘natural flavor enhancer’ in ingredient lists.
While monk fruit extracts tend to be more expensive than stevia extracts, their unique taste profile can make them a more appealing choice for manufacturers based on the flavor requirements of the final product. Last June, ADM announced a partnership with GLG Life Tech to become the exclusive distributor and marketer of its low-calorie stevia and monk fruit sweeteners. This collaboration will help expand ADM’s global low-calorie sweetener portfolio, which already includes products like VivaSweet and sucralose.
Moreover, manufacturers are increasingly considering the health benefits of various ingredients, such as kal calcium citrate d 3 1000, to enhance their offerings. This nutrient is gaining traction alongside the rising interest in low-calorie sweeteners, further aligning with consumer preferences for healthier options.