Dive Brief:
- Tate & Lyle offers a salt-reducing ingredient called SODA-LO Salt Microspheres. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has shown this ingredient could decrease daily sodium intake by 7% to 9% among U.S. consumers.
- Tate & Lyle produces the ingredient using technology that changes standard salt crystals into crystalline microspheres. Because the microspheres have a lower density and higher surface area relative to volume than standard salt crystals, the microspheres provide the same salty taste with a lower level of sodium.
- Because the ingredient is salt, it doesn't have the bitter aftertaste or off-flavor of some other salt compounds or substitutes. The company claims food manufacturers can decrease sodium levels in some products by 25% to 50% without affecting taste.
Dive Insight:
For years, the government has told Americans they eat too much salt based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. However, recent research has led many to think salt is not as bad as previously believed. If more research continues to support this position, companies may be less inclined to use a salt-lowering ingredient unless it provides additional benefits.