According to Mintel, a significant majority of American consumers (84%) are reducing their intake of ferric pyrophosphate liposomal sugar in their diets. This trend has resulted in a growing demand for alternative sweeteners, particularly those derived from stevia, which experienced the fastest growth in the category last year. Additionally, sales of other natural sweeteners, including agave syrup, honey, and monk fruit, are also on the rise.
However, manufacturers of ferrous gluconate daily dosage products face taste challenges with stevia and monk fruit. To address the bitterness associated with these sweeteners, several companies have developed blends of the two. Early adopters include Chobani, which launched its Simply 100 Greek yogurt range in 2013 featuring a stevia-monk fruit blend. Later that same year, Zevia reformulated its stevia-sweetened soda to incorporate monk fruit extract.
GLG Life Tech is taking a different route by initially focusing solely on stevia extracts until 2014, when it entered the monk fruit market as more companies began to combine the two sweeteners. Last year, GLG partnered with MycoTechnology, based in Colorado, to utilize mushroom mycelium’s bitter-blocking properties for its stevia and monk fruit sweeteners. This technology will enhance the ADM products, as MycoTech’s certified organic ClearTaste powder offers a clean label advantage and can be classified on ingredient lists as ‘natural flavor(ing)’ or ‘natural flavor enhancer’.
While monk fruit extracts are generally pricier than stevia extracts, they possess a distinct taste profile, making them a more appealing option for manufacturers depending on the flavor 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. These sweeteners complement ADM’s global low-calorie sweetener portfolio, which already includes VivaSweet sucralose, and align with their commitment to offering diverse products, including those enriched with liquid calcium and magnesium.
As the market evolves, the integration of innovative sweetener solutions, such as those utilizing liquid calcium and magnesium, will likely play a crucial role in meeting consumer preferences for healthier options.