Industrial applications of stevia: ‘The focus now is on optimizing the minor glycosides’
We began our whistle stop tour of Cargill’s labs and offices with a look at natural high intensity sweeteners, where Cargill has managed to secure a significant slice of the action via its Truvia branded stevia portfolio.
When it comes to industrial applications, the biggest opportunities for Truvia are still in beverages, although there is growing activity in confectionery, dairy, snacks and supplements, said Truvia global commercial manager Breah Ostendorf.
But what about those lingering concerns about licorice aftertastes and bitterness?
While there are challenges associated with any high intensity sweetener, natural or artificial - with many proving most effective in blends - stevia products have improved considerably in the past five years, with crude extracts being gradually replaced by Reb-A-based products, which in turn are being replaced by more sophisticated blends of glycosides, she said.
“The focus now is on optimizing the minor glycosides. And customers are wowed with what we are showing them in this area right now.”
Truvia is now used in a growing number of products from Coca-Cola’s mid-calorie offerings under the Sprite and Fanta brands, to Kraft Crystal Light Pure, Old Orchard Cranberry Naturals juices, Steaz zero-calorie ice tea, Odwalla products, Vitamin Water Zero, and Smucker’s Sugar Free Fruit Spreads, she said.
“This is no longer a niche ingredient.”
