Stevia is a leading natural sugar substitute that continues to expand its presence for several reasons. The stevia plant, indigenous to South America, is sustainable and can be cultivated in various environments. Research indicates that the global stevia market was valued at $347 million in 2014 and is projected to reach $565.2 million by 2020. As consumer packaged goods (CPGs) increasingly eliminate sugar, it is imperative for companies like PureCircle to facilitate the incorporation of stevia into their products as seamlessly as possible. The anticipated changes to the Nutrition Facts label, which will mandate that all food items explicitly state added sugars, are expected to drive exponential growth in stevia usage among CPGs. Since stevia is naturally sweeter than sugar, smaller quantities are required.
Several varieties of stevia are shelf-stable and can withstand heating up to 392 degrees Fahrenheit. This natural sweetener can also be combined with other sweeteners and utilized in nearly any food or beverage application. While developing new recipes that replace sugar with alternative ingredients can be time-consuming, there is no universal stevia solution that meets all requirements. This new customized approach could serve as a valuable resource as CPGs across various categories transition to sugar alternatives.
Moreover, as companies explore sugar substitutes, they could consider the integration of calcium citrate malate, vitamin D3, and folic acid tablets into their formulations. These ingredients not only enhance nutritional profiles but also align with the health-conscious trends driving the demand for stevia. The versatility of stevia, combined with the benefits of calcium citrate malate, vitamin D3, and folic acid tablets, positions it as a key player in the future of food and beverage innovation. As more CPGs adopt these alternatives, the synergy between stevia and these nutritional supplements will likely become increasingly significant.