iConnectHub

Login/Register

WeChat

For more information, follow us on WeChat

Connect

For more information, contact us on WeChat

Email

You can contact us info@ringiertrade.com

Phone

Contact Us

86-21 6289-5533 x 269

Suggestions or Comments

86-20 2885 5256

Top

Natural step to sweetness

Source:Ringier Release Date:2012-02-15 603
Food & Beverage
Add to Favorites
The European Commission has given steviol glycoside the green light, which is sweet news for product developers seeking natural alternatives to low caloric sweeteners

NATURAL sweetener, Stevia, was finally approved to be used as additive in the European Union after the European Commission formally adopted in November the regulation (EU) No 1131/2011 as a sweetener for foods and beverages in the 27 member states. The regulation introducing the newly approved sweetener – listed under number E 960 – became effective early December 2011.
 
Decades-long interest in Stevia, derived from plant extracts of Stevia rebaudiana, has been impeded by fears that it is carcinogenic. However Stevia, which is up to 300 times sweeter than sugar, has long been approved in Japan. In 2010, the European Authority for Food Safety (EFSA) allayed these health concerns and verified the safety of the substance. Two years earlier, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the natural, plant-derived sweetener for use in foods and beverages in the United States.

Stevia's approval in the EU was welcomed by the global food industry since it opens the door for many new products like low-calorie beverages, reduced sugar snack, baked goods and chocolates, and even low sugar yoghurt and ice cream. The reception from ingredients companies, amongst them Purac, Beneo and D?hler, was equally warm.

Masking bitterness

Today's consumers are increasingly interested in products that contain few calories whilst at the same time they prefer natural ingredients and are not willing to compromise on taste. However, challenges exist when applying stevia to food and beverages. Alongside its sweetness, Stevia's taste profile includes a lingering bitter or liquorice-like aftertaste.

Beneo blends Isomalt and Stevia in candy recipes that are low in calories, tooth-friendly and low GI

Stevia's approval opens doors additives that mask the sweetener's bitterness, especially if they are also of natural origin. This is why Purac expects a further increase of interest in its speciality lactic acid, Purac Fit Plus, as a result of this recent ruling. The all-natural ultra-pure grade of lactic acid helps masks stevioside's bitter aftertaste in food and beverage applications.
"It is optimised for application in the beverage industry and even has specifications on flavour and odour components," explained Hans Schinck, category manager at the global provider of preservation solutions, lactic acid and lactates.

"The long-lasting and the balanced sour taste make Purac Fit Plus the perfect building block for Stevia masking and acidification of beverages."

Rounded, sugar-like taste

Beneo, one of the leading manufacturers in functional ingredients, is taking a different approach to sugar-free sweetening solutions with Stevia. It is presenting new solutions using Isomalt with Stevia, amongst the range of new confectionery ideas. By combining these two ingredients, the product's sensory characteristics are improved with a rounded sugar-like taste and still maintains nutritional and health benefits of sugar reduction.

Isomalt is the only sugar-replacer derived from sugar beet and thus has a similar sweetening profile. It offers manufacturers an alternative to sugar in both functionality and bulk. Both dental health and blood glucose benefits of Isomalt have been approved by EFSA.

The combination of the two naturally derived sweeteners supports a variety of subtle or strong flavours whilst successfully masking the undesired after-tastes of Stevia. Blending the two ingredients in candy recipes also helps achieve added benefits, including low in calories, tooth-friendly and low GI.

Achieving harmonised taste sensations with Isomalt and Stevia have been made possible by the Beneo-Technology Centre. SpeciaOff White X Max 180-90

Add to Favorites
You May Like