In contrast with previous reports that link artificial sweeteners with weight gain, new research on rats has found the non-nutritive sweetener saccharin has no effect on weight, while glucose does.
The added sugars portion of the newly revamped nutrition facts labels for food products will provide a significant opportunity for purveyors of alternative sweeteners, an industry expert says.
Artificial sweeteners may help obese individuals cut calories and lose weight but a new study has suggested that these sugar substitutes impair how glucose is utilised in the body.
The discovery of ‘gut enzymes’ in sweet taste receptors on the tongue could point industry towards a new route in the development of non-caloric sweeteners, say those behind the research.
Demand for clean label ingredients is on the rise in Turkey, especially for children's food - but the market is too price sensitive and focused on taste for it to become mainstream, according to some industry players.
Honey ticks all the boxes: it's natural, tastes great and is sweeter than sugar, according to UK honey water company Just Bee, which says it could soon become the sweetener of choice in soft drinks.
Nichols announced a relaunch of its sugar-free brands this summer, following the news of the tax on sugary drinks, and predicted earnings would be in line with expectations.
Tiana Fair Trade Organic's claims that its coconut nectar is a “guilt free sugar substitute” are in breach of regulations, the British advertising authority has ruled.
Reducing sugar intake has become a key concern amongst many European consumers, with a quarter of those surveyed now preferring low sugar food products, a 2,500-strong survey has found.
The European Commission has approved the use of stevia as a sweetener in mustard in Europe, a decision welcomed by manufacturers as an opportunity for new product development.
Parents embracing fruit juices, juice drinks and smoothies for their children because they perceive them as a healthier alternative to sugary sodas is misguided, based on new research that found nearly half of these products marketed to children meet...
The focus on sugar intensified yesterday with news of a tax on soft drinks in the UK. But assuming a shift to low or no-sugar foods and drinks will lead to a boost in low-calorie speciality sweeteners is probably wide of the mark, unless they are natural.
The UK's Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has taken an over-simplified approach to its analysis on the pros and cons of a sugary drink tax by not looking at evidence from similar policies in Europe, the US and Mexico, say researchers.
The founders of Ugly, an unsweet, fruit infused sparkling water brand, believe consumer palates will become less focused on sweet in the coming years. This can open up opportunities for beverages such as unsweetened iced tea, unsweetened cold brew coffee,...
Net profit at Nestlé fell by more than a third in 2015 as the Swiss food giant missed sales forecasts making price rises difficult in a tough economic climate.
UK food and drink companies should be made to promote healthy and sustainable diets in order to help tackle the global sugar problem, a new paper says.
Stevia price wars, a desire for natural sweeteners and a ‘mega boom’ of sugar production when EU sugar quotas come to an end feature among Technavio’s predictions for Europe’s sugar and sweetener market. “It’s a good future for the European sweetener...
KitKat maker Nestlé reports progress in reducing sugar across its confectionery portfolio but won’t reformulate to a lower threshold until sugar’s link to obesity and type 2 diabetes is substantiated.
In a plenary vote today Members of European Parliament (MEPs) called for a rethink of rules that could allow up to 30% sugar content in cereal-based baby foods, which could bring the draft legislation back to the drawing board.
only 1/3 objections tabled were backed by the ENVI Committee
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) accept rules on sugary cereal-based baby food should be revised, but have voted against changing a draft on the marketing of infant formula and medical foods.
Publicity at the expense of accuracy - this is how AB Sugar has described a recently published report which makes claims of forced labour, health and safety violations and illegal land grabs – among other unsustainable practices – in one of its subsidiaries.
A smartphone app that enables consumers to scan the bar code on products to determine their sugar content has been backed by some manufacturers and major UK retailers.
From links with obesity and type 2 diabetes to government taxes, sugar is currently experiencing a backlash. FoodNavigator met up with experts in the field at Food Ingredients Europe (FiE) to ask what this means for industry – is the future sugar-free?
Lotus Bakeries has revealed ambitions to become an international ‘category captain’ in healthy snacking after acquiring UK business Urban Fresh Foods, producer of Bear fruit snacks and cereals.
Genes have a large part to play in sensitivity to the sweet taste, with research revealing the variation in response to the ‘sweet signal’ among children.
Tesco is to roll out sugar reduction targets to its own-label suppliers in new categories of food and drink in the New Year, following the success it has achieved in healthier reformulation of children’s soft drinks, its group quality director Tim Smith...
While sugar-sweetened beverages have seen a decrease in popularity in regions such as North America and Western Europe, they are on the rise in most low- and middle-income countries. But will the backlash against sugar eventually shape the market in these...
European consumers’ appetite for sugary foods is waning in favour of low-sugar products, according to new Mintel research revealed at the Food Ingredients Europe show in Paris.
Consumers are starting to differentiate between carbohydrate types as more than 50% of participants making a distinction between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ carbs in a 5000-strong study shows – with important implications for industry.
The EU sugar reform will harm public health by flooding the market with cheap sugar and tempting manufacturers to reformulate – an agricultural policy that takes into account public health is needed, say researchers.
"No single action will be effective in reducing sugar intakes," concludes Public Health England's report which recommends cutting price promotions, junk food advertising and setting a sugar tax. We look at some reactions to the findings.
By Steve Osborn, Principal Consultant, Food and Beverage, The Aurora Ceres Partnership, Banamex Mexico City, Mexico
What are the hottest trends in food and beverage in Latin America? Steve Osborn, principal consultant, food and beverage, at The Aurora Ceres Partnership, headed to the Food Tech Expo and Summit in Mexico City to find out...
‘Elemis’ sugar replacer to revolutionise bakery industry
Research highlighting the variation in soft drink sugar content around the world – a difference of as much as 29g sugar (7 teaspoons) per 330ml for the same brand in different countries - has been released by campaign group Action on Sugar.
Consumption of refined carbohydrates, like refined grains and added sugars, significantly increases the odds of depression among postmenopausal women, researchers claim.
Some people may perceive sweet tastes as weaker than others – perhaps leading them to add more sugar or sweetener to gain the same level of sweetness, new research suggests.
Manufacturers must do more to help consumers halve their overall energy intake from free-sugars to less than 5%, commentators on Twitter have urged after the release of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition's report on carbohydrates today.
Almost two-thirds of global consumers are concerned about sugar intake – but the choice between low-sugar and sugar-free depends on the food or drink category, according to a new report from DSM.
Supplier Sunsweet claims its plum ingredients could present a pathway to cleaner labels as safety concerns over caramel colors prompt confectionery manufacturers to look explore alternatives.
A proprietary carrier particle can reduce sugar content and calories by more than 50% – without a loss in sweetness or a rise in costs, says Israeli company DouxMatok.
Special edition: Innovations in better-for-you confectionery
Many fruit snacks aimed at children contain more sugar than confectionery – but could be misconstrued as ‘healthy’ because of their association with real fruit, according to pressure group Action on Sugar.
While swapping out calorific sugars for a zero-calorie sweetener may seem like a common sense public health policy, some recent reports have suggested that the reverse may be true. We take a look at the evidence and arguments for both sides of the story.
Sugar-sweetened drinks may reduce stress levels and therefore be harder to reduce than aspartame say scientists - but campaigners are still calling on industry to reduce both.
As sugar has become one of the most maligned ingredients within food, Euromonitor International research analyst Jack Skelly says the future may prove trickyfor manufacturers.
