Manufacturers search for sugar alternatives
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has collaborated with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) to search for manufacturers, product specialists and researchers to submit details of sugar alternatives.
The organisations planned to use the information to create a list for manufacturers and retailers, in order to further support sugar reduction efforts across the food and drink industry.
Andrea Martinez-Inchausti, the BRC’s deputy director for food policy, said: “Improving the composition of products is a top priority for retailers. A lot of work is currently underway to reduce sugar.
‘Technical solutions and alternatives’
“We are putting a call out for any information on technical solutions and alternatives to sugar, to help retailers deliver tasty but more wholesome products”.
The new initiative will support the government’s childhood obesity plan to reduce sugar in food and drink by 20%, claimed the BRC and the FDF.
The FDF’s nutrition and health manager Kate Halliwell said: “Our members are committed to playing our part in the fight against obesity. The food and drink industry has been on a positive journey for a number of years and this joint initiative with the BRC is the latest stage in the journey.
‘Supporting retailers and manufacturers’
“We are confident this initiative will go a long way in supporting retailers and manufacturers in their sugar reduction efforts, leading to significant improvements in public health.”
Suppliers that produce suitable sugar alternative ingredients were encouraged to complete an application form, which can be found here.
The government plans to tax sugary drinks that contain 5g or more of sugar per 100ml, starting from April next year.
Meanwhile, the Coca-Cola Company has launched two crowdsourcing schemes to find innovative ways to sweeten food and beverages, with the best submissions winning cash prizes.
The manufacturer sought suggestions of sweeteners derived from plants, other than stevia and monk fruit – which it currently uses – and a molecule or compound that could safely be used to sweeten food and beverages.
