European food and beverage companies get green light to use new sweetener options

MINNEAPOLIS – Oct. 20, 2016 – With the European Commission amending its current steviol glycocide specifications on Nov. 3, 2016, European food and beverage companies will be able to rely on the broader portfolio of Cargill’s ViaTech™ stevia sweeteners to help them achieve optimal sweetness and dramatic sugar reductions in their most challenging applications, like carbonated soft drinks.

Under the existing legislation, high intensity sweeteners made from steviol glycosides need to consist of at least 75 percent stevioside and/or rebaudioside A (Reb A), limiting the ViaTech™ sweetener options available to food and beverage manufacturers in Europe. The updated European Commission legislation removes the 75 percent restriction and allows any combination of the 11 approved steviol glycosides as alternatives to Reb A as the predominant components.

“Cargill has deep knowledge of the steviol glycosides and the development capabilities needed to find the best-tasting solutions for customers,” said Andy Ohmes, global product line manager for Cargill. “The updated legislation opens doors for European food and food beverage companies who want to reduce calories without compromising a great taste.”

Cargill, an innovator and global provider of sweeteners, launched its ViaTech™ line of stevia sweeteners in 2014. ViaTech™ uses a proprietary taste-prediction model to predict optimal combinations of steviol glycosides to deliver a great taste.

“Every day we help food and beverage companies, all sizes and all locations, create great tasting products that enable them to satisfy evolving consumer demand,” added Frank Maus, European manager of specialty sweetness segment for Cargill.

Cargill supplies a variety of sweeteners, each offering special qualities to food and beverage manufacturers and consumers. Visit Cargill’s website to learn more about its extensive sweetener portfolio.