Company: Icon Foods

Website: iconfoods.com

Ingredient Snapshot: With cannabis legal in some fashion in 30 states and the District of Columbia, adult consumption is on the rise. In fact, more than a fifth of Americans reside in a state where recreational use of cannabis is legal. In the midst of this sea of change and consumers’ increasing demand for products made from nature, Icon Foods introduces CannaSweet, a proprietary blend formulated with allulose for use in the growing edible cannabis product industry.

“As the market for edible cannabis products continues to expand, regulators must identify and control food safety and quality concerns,” said Thom King, president and CEO of Icon Foods. “CannaSweet is a game changer. It is specifically designed for the cannabis industry to employ clean-label sugar reduction in the medicinal and recreational edible category.”

CannaSweet utilizes allulose as a powerful, low-calorie sweetener balanced with stevia and monk fruit to develop optimum sweetness, cost benefits and sugar reduction in reduced-calorie, low-calorie, and calorie‐free foods and beverages. Product developers can rely on superb flavor while reaping the benefit that consumers recognize these ingredients as natural.

“Today’s consumers are looking for products made from nature, while at the same time limiting sugar intake to reduce calorie consumption and manage the glycemic response, but they aren’t willing to compromise on flavor,” King said. “CannaSweet delivers exceptional flavor, while also allowing developers to achieve clean-label sugar reduction.”

Naturally occurring in wheat, figs, raisins, jackfruit and more, allulose has the same molecular formula as fructose and glucose. 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. It is already used in a number of product formulations, including the Icon Foods KetoseSweet product line, and it holds GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status as a sugar substitute from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

Available in crystalline and liquid formats, CannaSweet is designed for a wide range of products including carbonated and noncarbonated beverages; frostings; baked goods such as cakes, pies, pastries, biscuits and rolls; frozen dairy desserts; jams and jellies; sweet sauces; syrups; chewing gum; confectionery such as hard and soft candies, gummies; and puddings and fillings.

The calorie savings in products formulated with CannaSweet are dramatic when compared with full-sugar versions. Sugar has four calories per gram.

CannaSweet has only 0.2 calories per gram, and it doesn’t affect blood glucose or insulin levels. This is critical to those suffering from diabetes. Experts believe maintaining moderate blood glucose levels also may be important to a wider audience. The American Heart Association considers high blood glucose a factor in metabolic syndrome and increased risk of heart disease, stroke and other health problems.