of natural sweeteners. Not only does it offer sweetness comparable to sucrose, but it also boasts zero calories, making it an attractive option for health-conscious consumers. Andrew Ohmes, Chief Executive Officer
of Avansya, emphasises the versatility of EverSweet® stevia sweetener, stating, “It’s the perfect choice when brands want to reduce sugar without sacrificing great taste.” The journey towards commercialising natural sweeteners involves rigorous safety assessments and regulatory approvals. EverSweet® stevia sweetener recently received positive safety opinions from both the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), marking a significant milestone in its path to market availability in the European Union and UK. Amber Herman underscores the significance of regulatory approval, she says: “Final authorisation is expected in 2024, at which time EverSweet® will become commercially available to European food and beverage manufacturers, too.” Natural sweeteners play a pivotal role in positioning confectionery products as part of a balanced and health-conscious lifestyle. With consumers prioritising clean-label products, the demand for reduced-sugar formulations that deliver on taste and quality continues to rise. Amber Herman elaborates on the consumer
preferences driving this shift, stating, “Zero- calorie sweeteners like stevia continue to make significant gains, aligning with long-standing, clean-label trends.” As the confectionery industry navigates
towards a healthier future, the emergence of natural sweeteners offers a tantalising glimpse of what’s to come. With innovations like EverSweet® paving the way for deeper reductions in sugar content and sustainable production practices, the possibilities for
KennedysConfection.com
confectionery development are limitless. Andrew Ohmes reflects on the potential
of EverSweet®, stating: “Its clean, sugar-like taste, rounded flavour profile, and fast onset of sweetness enable formulators to achieve deeper reductions in sugars than traditional stevia sweeteners.”
Study shows that sucralose does not impact the gut microbiota Researchers have unveiled unprecedented insights into the intricate relationship between certain low and no calorie sweeteners, notably stevia, and the human gut microbiota. Spearheaded by Tate & Lyle PLC (Tate & Lyle), a global leader in innovative ingredient solutions for healthier consumables, in collaboration with Cryptobiotix, trailblazers in preclinical gastrointestinal research, this study heralds a significant stride towards understanding the nuanced effects of
sweeteners on human health. Dr. Davide Risso, a distinguished molecular biology specialist and Tate & Lyle’s esteemed Head of Nutrition Research, helmed the project with the aim of unravelling the potential impacts of select low and no calorie sweeteners on the gut environment, both in individuals with robust health and those grappling with type 2 diabetes. Employing a meticulous approach, the research team gathered samples from cohabiting adults adhering to similar dietary patterns to mitigate the confounding influence of long-term diet variations, a pivotal factor shaping microbiota composition. The doses of sweeteners administered mirrored real-world intakes, adhering to regulatory guidelines and typical quantities found in a variety of food and beverage products. Published in the eminent peer-reviewed and open-access journal, the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, the
When considering replacing [sugar] with nature-derived sweeteners like stevia, it’s not as simple as it may seem”
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