Icon Foods all-natural sweetener line

Company: Icon Foods

Ingredient Snapshot: Concerns about obesity, metabolic diseases and other health problems, combined with increasing pressure to reformulate for clean label sugar reduction, make it a prime time to turn to natural sweeteners. Stevia and monk fruit have long been revered for their sweet taste and low-calorie delivery and now, with the introduction of KetoseSweet, they can be enjoyed without affecting blood glucose or insulin levels.

“We’re very excited to unveil the KetoseSweet product line, featuring D-Allulose as an ingredient,” said Thom King, president and CEO of Icon Foods. “Allulose is unique. Unlike fructose and glucose, it is not rapidly digested and absorbed, and it passes through the body without being metabolized.”

Naturally occurring in wheat, figs, raisins, jackfruit and more, allulose has the same molecular formula as fructose and glucose, but because it is not rapidly digested and absorbed, it is safe for diabetics, those who follow low-sugar or low-carb diets and even those who have adopted a ketogenic lifestyle. It behaves similarly to erythritol and does not have a laxative effect.

“Even though allulose is only 70 percent sweet on its own, it has the same temporal profile as sugar,” King said. “Plus, it provides the expected mouthfeel that sugar imparts, leading to a more satisfying flavor without requiring the addition of bulking ingredients. “

Considered GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), allulose may be used as a sole source of sweetness or in combination with other sweeteners. KetoseSweet allulose exhibits a synergistic effect with other sweeteners such as stevia and monk fruit, so optimal flavor development and cost benefits are realized when formulating reduced, low, or calorie-free foods and beverages.

Although it is comparable to erythritol in calorie delivery, KetoseSweet allulose does not present the cooling effect of erythritol, making it another option in many applications.

The KetoseSweet portfolio includes:

KetoseSweet - Allulose, with 70 percent sweetness with sugar; available in granulated powder and liquid syrup
KetoseSweet+ - Allulose, stevia and monk fruit blend with one-to-one sweetness with sugar; available in granulated powder and liquid syrup
KetoseSweet+ with stevia - Allulose, stevia blend with one-to-one sweetness with sugar; available in granulated powder and liquid syrup
KetoseSweet+ with monk fruit - Allulose and monk fruit blend with one-to-one sweetness with sugar; available in granulated powder and liquid syrup

The KetoseSweet line of sweeteners is designed for a wide range of applications, including carbonated and non-carbonated beverages; baked goods such as frostings, cakes, pies, pastries, biscuits and rolls; frozen dairy desserts; jams and jellies; sweet sauces; syrups; chewing gum; hard and soft candies; puddings and fillings; and condiments.

Steviva, the retail arm of Icon Foods, will release a line of condiments featuring KetoseSweet+ in conjunction with King’s upcoming book release, “Guy Gone Keto.” The condiments are expected to be available April 25, 2018.

KetoseSweet allulose and KetoseSweet+ is available in 60-mesh or 100-mesh formats and well as syrups. The 100-mesh sweetener has a density comparable to 10X sugar. KetoseSweet+ will be released for retail purchase April 1, 2018.