Dive Brief:
- London ingredient company Tate & Lyle has developed a new low-calorie sweetener it hopes will revitalize the alternative sweetener industry.
- Its product Dolcia Prima allulose is a naturally occurring sweetener that can be derived from corn, sugar beet, or sugar cane. It has 90% fewer calories than standard table sugar and 70% of the sweetness, according to Bakingbusiness.com.
- Several companies have already jumped onboard and are in testing phases with the new sweetener, including Dr Pepper Snapple Group, which it wants to incorporate "across numerous categories– soft drinks, teas, waters, juices and juice drinks,” said a company spokesman, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Dive Insight:
Food and beverage companies have been looking for sugar alternatives to attract more health-conscious customers. Beverage companies like PepsiCo Inc. and The Coca-Cola Co. are struggling with low diet cola sales and have turned to stevia with their new products. Coca-Cola Life has around 35% fewer calories than regular Coca-Cola, and Pepsi True has 40% fewer calories than regular Pepsi. Allulose may provide a new alternative to introduce in other future diet-friendly products.