All the flavor, hold the calories 

Low-calorie, or great taste? Beverage makers in Europe no longer have to choose.

Cargill’s Zerose® erythritol has been approved for use as a flavor enhancer by the European Commission, which means it can now be used to create low-calorie energy and sports drinks and dairy- or fruit-based beverages. Cargill’s Zerose® erythritol has been approved for use as a flavor enhancer by the European Commission, which means it can now be used to create low-calorie energy and sports drinks and dairy- or fruit-based beverages.

“Zerose erythritol masks the off-tastes that are sometimes caused by the high-intensity sweeteners used in low-calorie products,” explained Caroline Chabot, Cargill Sweetness communications manager. “It also masks the sour and bitter notes that tend to come with vitamins and some other ingredients, like proteins.”

In doing so, it allows beverage makers to create the low-calorie products their customers want, without sacrificing taste.

Already approved as a flavor enhancer and sweetener in the U.S. and for certain applications in Europe, this most recent approval is a big step forward in helping European customers deliver the better-for-you beverages that consumers demand.

“Now that Zerose erythritol is formally recognized, manufacturers in all 28 E.U. member states can introduce new, great tasting beverages,” said Chabot.

Cargill will showcase beverage prototypes with Zerose erythritol at the Food Ingredients Europe trade show this coming December in Paris. “We invite our European customers to come see and taste it for themselves,” said Chabot.