MANCHESTER, UK: Ingredion has launched a five-part video series to help food and beverage manufacturers harness the potential of stevia sweeteners and functional build-back (FBB) ingredients in sugar reduction formulations. 

The series explores today’s enhanced understanding of the stevia leaf — from its sustainability and versatility — to the identification of new steviol glycosides (stevia leaf molecules), such as Reb M, contributing to a more balanced, sugar-like sweetness without bitter off-notes. Other topics explored include the natural origin of stevia and why it is ideal for achieving sugar reduction goals while meeting consumer demands for a healthy lifestyle. 

Helen Hook, Sugar Reduction and Specialty Sweeteners Platform Lead EMEA at Ingredion, says: “Food and beverage manufacturers are under increasing pressure to formulate products that support the growing importance of a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, it has never been more important to realise the power of the advanced formulation possibilities of stevia. 

“The challenge for manufacturers, however, is to not only develop products that help support a healthy lifestyle; products must also be great-tasting and deliver an ideal texture and nutritional appeal, and may support consumer-preferred label claims such as ‘plant-based,’ ‘natural origin’ and ‘no added sugar.’ Innovation in stevia creates opportunities for manufacturers to develop products that achieve these sensory, nutritional, and claim expectations. 

“Utilising our extensive knowledge and experience of the steviol glycosides within the leaf, PureCircle™ by Ingredion has developed optimal solutions for many applications using combinations of steviol glycosides to deliver the right balance between sweetness and eating experience. 

“Our stevia solutions also add holistic value to manufacturers — that’s because our approach considers every aspect of new product development, from process improvement and ingredient replacement to sustainable sourcing and ingredient supply. This approach enables manufacturers to create high-value, cost-effective products.” 

The videos also acknowledge how new innovations, such as bioconversion technology, are driving the affordability of premium stevia molecules like Reb M, as well as how Ingredion’s FBB ingredients, such as polyols and soluble corn fibre, help replace the bulking, texture, and mouthfeel lost when reducing sugar. These FBB ingredients can be used in combination with PureCircle’s enhanced stevia solutions and flavour modifiers to deliver great-tasting, sugar-reduced products.

The release of the videos follows the EU Commission’s authorisation in November 2022 of PureCircle’s Reb M, Reb D, and Reb AM steviol glycosides produced via bioconversion. As a result, PureCircle offers Reb M and a broad portfolio of plant-based stevia solutions to manufacturers across the EU.

To learn more about the power of stevia and to watch the series, please visit https://www.ingredion.com/emea/en-uk/solving-a-challenge/challenges/sugar-reduction-specialty-sweeteners.

About Ingredion

Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR), headquartered in the suburbs of Chicago, is a leading global ingredient solutions provider serving customers in more than 120 countries. With 2022 annual net sales of nearly $8 billion, the Company turns grains, fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based materials into value-added ingredient solutions for the food, beverage, animal nutrition, brewing, and industrial markets. With Ingredion Idea Labs^® innovation centers around the world and approximately 12,000 employees, the Company co-creates with customers and fulfills its purpose of bringing the potential of people, nature, and technology together to make life better. Visit ingredion.com for more information and the latest Company news.

About PureCircle™ by Ingredion

PureCircle by Ingredion is the leading producer and innovator of great-tasting stevia sweeteners and flavor modifiers for the global beverage and food industry. PureCircle combines advanced R&D with full vertical integration from farm to high-quality, great-tasting innovative stevia ingredients.

The Company collaborates with farmers who grow its proprietary stevia varieties and with food and beverage companies, which seek to improve their low- and no-calorie formulations using plant-based, non-GMO ingredients. For more information, visit: www.purecircle.com.