Cargill, ADM tap growth in natural, low-calorie sweeteners
As sugar reduction merges with functionality, global ingredient leaders are betting on advanced stevia solutions to hit the sweet spot
Sugar reduction
Yuka brings aspartame fight to the US
Report calls for ban on ingredient found in thousands of common food and beverage products
Sweeteners in focus
Sugar is no longer ‘benchmark’ for sweetness as consumer preferences shift to blends
Research by Ingredion suggests a paradigm shift toward plant-based and blended sweeteners over sugar, but consumer confusion about what is ‘natural’ and safe could hinder innovation and sugar reduction efforts
Sweeteners in focus
Liquid I.V., IQMIX and G Fuel lead zero-sugar drink mix shift
The $38.7 billion category’s momentum reflects consumer appetite for natural sweeteners, energy and focus
UAE to link beverage prices to sugar levels: What does industry need to do?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will implement a tiered excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) from January 2026
Stevia 3.0: Can the plant-based sweetener finally crack mainstream beverages?
Beverages are the biggest user of stevia: yet the path for the plant-based sweetener has not been smooth. Does it still hold superstar potential in sugar reduction?
The latest tech in the sugar reduction toolkit
From honey truffle protein to sugar separation solutions: advances in technology sweeten the deal for beverage reformulation
How could sugar tax shake-up reshape the UK beverage market?
The UK is considering extending its soda tax to more beverages, including milk-based drinks. How big an impact would this have?
The next wave of RTD coffee: Sugar reduction and functional add-ons
While RTD coffee is a favorite of Gen Z, many brands have a murky secret: high levels of sugar. Can the next generation of products tackle this problem and propel the category to new heights?
How Kerry’s salt and sugar reduction tech is quietly driving its bottom line
As brands face mounting pressure to cut sodium and sugar without compromising taste, reformulation is no longer a niche concern – it’s driving real commercial gains. Kerry’s behind-the-scenes tech is helping reshape everyday foods and quietly lifting margins
‘Stop moving the goalposts!’ Small businesses dread sugar tax reformulation drama
The UK wants to increase the scope of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy: and small businesses are worried
Coke sweetened with cane sugar to launch in the US this fall
Coca-Cola confirms a cane sugar sweetened Coke will launch in the US in a matter of weeks: but as an additional option in its existing portfolio rather than a reformulation of the flagship drink. From Diet Coke to Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, we take a look at...
AI, paper bottles and lightweighting: The latest developments from next-gen packaging projects
Can artificial intelligence reshape material discovery? How far can lightweighting go? What potential do paper bottles have? Innovators are pushing tech forward like never before...
Sweeteners linked to early onset puberty
Both artificial and natural sweeteners could increase risk of premature puberty in kids
IFT First: New tech and innovations to look out for at the food science expo
Ready for the new world of GLP-1 food and drink? Want to keep up to speed with the latest in functional and plant-based ingredients, alternative proteins, sugar reduction tech and much more? Here are some of the innovations set to star at the global food...
WHO pushes for massive 50% rise in soda and alcohol prices: ‘Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have’
The WHO has long been an advocate for taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol: but its latest initiative calls for drastic, measurable policy shifts
New sugar reduction tech hits Europe - and it’s not a sweetener
Better yet, products using it won’t be considered ‘novel foods’
South Korea emerges as hotspot for sugar-free innovation
South Korea saw over 20% growth in sugar-free innovation last year, highlighting new opportunities for global health-focused brands
California’s soda tax war reaches crucial battle in Santa Cruz
The momentum behind California soda taxes came to an abrupt halt in 2018 with the introduction of the Keep Groceries Affordable Act. But Santa Cruz defied the legislation and introduced a new soda tax: an action it is now preparing to defend
Should RTD coffee be included in soda taxes?
With increasingly sugary and indulgent products on the market, the UK wants to tax RTD coffee in the same way it taxes soda. How could this shake up the RTD coffee market?
Why soda taxes need to be part of a bigger strategy to tackle the food system
Soda taxes are just one piece of the puzzle
UK set to extend sugar tax to milk-based drinks
The UK plans to lower the threshold the sugar tax kicks in at: as well as extend it to milk-based drinks and their plant-based counterparts
Can Coca-Cola Zero conquer a country hooked on sugar?
Mexico is one of the highest consumers of sugary beverages in the world. Can Coca-Cola Zero win over consumers in the country and across Latin America?
How to build a beverage brand: Zevia on building up the Modern Soda category
Zevia is a ‘soda you can feel good about’. Dating back to 2007, the naturally sweetened, zero sugar drink was one of the pioneers revolutionizing the very concept of soda – a movement that’s now seeing some serious momentum.
Researchers call for sugar taxes and stronger regulations, as sugary drinks linked to millions of diabetes and cardiovascular cases
A new study links millions of diabetes and heart disease cases to sugary drinks, with researchers calling for more interventions such as soda taxes, marketing restrictions and public health campaigns.
Natural Sweetener Alliance aims to ‘democratize’ sweeteners
The partnership between Tate & Lyle and Manus addresses a secure and sustainable supply of Reb M
High-fructose corn syrup linked to cancer growth
The beverage sweetener is under fire in a new study
How does sugary drink consumption affect cardiovascular risk?
A newly-published large-scale study in Sweden puts the spotlight on how sugar consumption - and specifically sugary drink consumption - affects cardiovascular risk.
Can beverages be made less sweet?
The easiest way to reduce sugar in beverages is simply to put less in. But how far can you go before consumers no longer accept the taste?
How natural sweeteners are shaking up the sugar game
As consumers grow more health-conscious, the demand for natural alternatives to sugar is on the rise. But can these sweeteners deliver the taste and texture consumers crave without compromise?
Revolutionizing soda: The emergence of a new Modern Soda category
Walmart has introduced its new ‘Modern Soda’ category: featuring innovative, better-for-you brands that are far from the traditional sugar-packed drinks loved by previous generations. So what is Modern Soda – and how big is its potential?
Should dairy drinks and RTD coffee be included in soda taxes?
The UK government is considering extending its Soft Drinks Industry Levy to milk-based drinks and plant-based alternatives: putting milkshakes and RTD coffee in the firing line. Will this move go ahead - and could other governments consider doing the same?
Saccharin daily intake threshold almost doubles post EFSA review
Safe daily intake limits for saccharin have been almost doubled by the European Food Safety Authority following a new review on the sweetener.
UK looks to expand sugar tax
Championing the success of the policy so far, the UK government wants to increase the impact of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy. It’s already announced an increase to the tax: and is also considering extending it to include milk-based drinks.
Do soda taxes succeed in reducing consumption among lower-income households?
Lower-income people tend to consume more sugar-sweetened beverages than average. Are soda taxes effective at reducing consumption?
Coca-Cola Consolidated recalls ‘zero sugar’ drinks that contain sugar
Coca-Cola Consolidated LLC has recalled cartons of Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade: which in fact contained regular Minute Maid Lemonade.
How are manufacturers making sugar reduction tech pay?
Sugar reduction has become a necessary part of food and beverage manufacture, but what technology is being used and how does it affect sales?
Soda taxes: Cutting sugar is one thing, promoting healthy hydration is another…
Sugar taxes set out to reduce sugary beverage consumption. But how can that be built on to steer people towards choosing healthier options instead?
How to reduce calories in beverages
From reformulation to new innovations, what are some of the ways to reduce calories in beverages?
Are sweeteners good or bad for the planet?
Research suggests some could be more harmful to the environment than others.
Could sugarcane super crop cut cost of sugar?
The cost of sugar has increased sharply in recent years. Now researchers believe gene editing could boost supplies. But how, and what does this mean for manufacturers?
Sugar reduction: Three learnings from growth markets
How do approaches to sugar reduction in growth markets differ from those in the rest of the world?
Huge tax hikes: Vietnam proposes phased 100% alcohol tax rise, 10% for sugar-sweetened drinks
The Vietnamese government has drafted new regulations proposing a phased increase on excise taxes for alcoholic beverages to 100% by 2030 as well as 10% for sugar-sweetened beverages, in attempts to curb overconsumption as well as boosting national income.
‘Keto-Fructose’ sweetener developed for consumers following ketogenic diet
With its low-calorie and low-carb profile, a new sweetener developed in the Netherlands is targeting a very particular segment of consumers.
Sugarcane industry faces threat from South Africa's sugar tax
SA Canegrowers says South Africa's sugar tax is hurting the livelihoods of small-scale farmers.
How much sugar is really consumed globally? And how much do shoppers care?
New data reveals the countries with the highest appetite for the sweet stuff and how much those sweet-toothed consumers worry about their intake
Do soda taxes reduce childhood obesity?
The potential of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes to tackle childhood obesity has been a key rationale for their introduction. How effective are they?
Childhood obesity linked to high soda and milk consumption but not juice – Kuwait study
A Kuwait study found that children who consumed a lot of soda and milk had higher obesity risk than those who consumed high amounts of juice.
Ingredion sweetens stevia portfolio with PURECIRCLE Clean Taste Solubility Solution
Ingredient company Ingredion’s PURECIRCE Clean Taste Solubility Solution (CTSS), a natural stevia-based sweetener, can reduce and replace sugar without the lingering bitter notes typically associated with Reb A.
Nutri-Grade in China: Shanghai launches traffic light labelling pilot for sugar-sweetened beverages
The local government of Shanghai, China has launched a pilot traffic light labelling scheme for sugar-sweetened beverages, with grades to be implemented based on not only sugar but also saturated and trans-fat content.