FiberSmart is the latest sweetener to receive approval from the FDA. Its versatility and health benefits make it an attractive option for companies aiming to produce food and beverages that are both delicious and beneficial for consumers. Available since 2015, FiberSmart is recognized as a dietary fiber. According to Anderson Advanced Ingredients, it is water-soluble and offers a smooth mouthfeel, in contrast to some fibers that can feel gritty.
FiberSmart also shows potential as a substitute for maltodextrin, a common ingredient used for thickening, texturizing, and preservation in many consumer packaged goods (CPG). Unlike maltodextrin, which has a high glycemic index, FiberSmart maintains a low glycemic profile. “We have received tremendous positive feedback about FiberSmart, not just for its versatility and tolerability, but also because its precise tolerances around water activity enhance product consistency and production efficiency,” stated John Jarmul, vice president of marketing at Anderson Advanced Ingredients. “It’s an excellent option for reducing sugar content while increasing fiber without compromising taste or texture.”
Given its fiber content, Anderson Advanced Ingredients prioritized ensuring that FiberSmart would not cause digestive issues for consumers. A study conducted by Murdoch University Centre for Molecular Medicine in Australia found that even a double dose of the recommended amount of FiberSmart was well tolerated by participants. Ingredients like FiberSmart are increasingly sought after by manufacturers looking to create healthy, clean-label products that are low in sugar. Additionally, since FiberSmart is not a sugar, it does not appear on Nutrition Facts labels.
With its GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status, FiberSmart could see broader adoption across a variety of food products. However, like most alternative sweeteners, it is not expected to be used in isolation. While there is a wide range of sweeteners derived from plants, fruits, starches, and proteins, most do not mimic sugar’s behavior precisely. FiberSmart has only one-fifth the sweetening power of an equivalent amount of sugar and lacks many of its functional properties. This type of ingredient can help reduce the overall sugar needed in a product or be combined with other more intensely sweet alternatives.
Moreover, products that include FiberSmart could potentially be enhanced with additional nutrients, such as calcium citrate with vitamin D3 chewable tablets, providing consumers with further health benefits. The integration of FiberSmart into formulations reinforces the trend toward healthier options, making it a valuable ingredient for manufacturers aiming to meet consumer demands for lower sugar, high-fiber products. As interest in such ingredients grows, the inclusion of calcium citrate with vitamin D3 chewable options alongside FiberSmart could empower consumers to make more health-conscious choices.