Cargill unveils zero-calorie sweetener

THE EverSweet next-generation sweetener from Cargill meets increasing demand from food and beverage companies for sweetener options that satisfy consumer health without compromising great taste. It offers the same sweetness found in the stevia leaf, Reb M and Reb D.

Besides providing increased sweetness intensity, it features faster sweetness onset and improved sweetness quality without the bitterness or off-note aftertaste common with other stevia sweeteners.

The product will be commercially available in 2016, but visitors to SupplySide West, were able to sample it in a variety of beverages.

Stevia is derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana

David Henstrom, vice president for health ingredients at Cargill, said: “At a time when many consumers want to reduce sugar consumption and adopt healthier lifestyles, EverSweet sweetener offers a new, delicious choice for reduced and zero calorie food and beverages.”

Using Reb M and Reb D to produce a sweetener has not been commercially or environmentally viable until now with fermentation. This is because the stevia plant produces only trace amounts of the Reb M and Reb Dmolecules. 

“We’ve been talking about our Reb M & Reb D sweetener for months, and we are excited to give people the opportunity to taste and see for themselves how good it is,” Mr Henstrom added.