Sweeteners

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Heartland Food Products Group signed an agreement to acquire the Americas business of Whole Earth Brands, adding several established sweetener brands to its portfolio. The move strengthens Heartland’s position in sugar reduction and alternative sweeteners while expanding its capabilities across retail, foodservice and ingredient solutions.

Fruit-based sweeteners are moving from niche to mainstream as manufacturers seek natural alternatives to refined sugar. Market forecasts show strong growth fueled by health awareness, clean-label priorities, and the functional advantages these ingredients bring to formulation.

Maple syrup is used by more than one-third of adults, with its use growing especially among younger consumers. This increase reflects a greater trend toward ingredients consumer recognize, and the desire for sweeteners that deliver both flavor and natural associations when compared to standard white granulated sugar.

The refreshed site, developed by Costello Creative Group (CCG), offers an improved digital experience with faster navigation, detailed product information, and a sleek new design.

in the body that supports cellular energy production, metabolism, and healthy aging by boosting NAD⁺ levels, which decline over time. Recently, NMN gained attention after the FDA reversed its previous position—and now will allow the ingredient to remain in the US dietary supplement market. FDA reaffirmed its status as a legal and accessible option for both brands and consumers.

Sugar reduction is vital for weight-conscious consumers, and the plant-based food market, especially dairy alternatives, is expected to hit USD 43.6 billion by 2028. However, combining sugar reduction with plant-based dairy is challenging. Rachel Zemse, a food scientist, offers insights on sweeteners for plant-based milk, yogurt, and ice cream.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed and recognized SteviUp M2 as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use as a general-purpose sweetener in food and beverage applications.

Throughout the IFT event, Layn will be serve functional drink prototypes, including a tasty probiotic drink with Galacan to promote gut-health, and a refreshing tea beverage with US-grown American Ginseng to support energy.

For product developers, creating successful reduced-sugar formulations means navigating a complex landscape of functional trade-offs, ingredient innovations, and shifting definitions of what qualifies as "clean" or "natural."

Consumers are cutting back on sugar—and the food and beverage industry is responding with smarter sweeteners, cleaner labels, and bold innovation across categories. From indulgent treats to savory staples, sugar reduction is no longer a niche effort but a mainstream expectation reshaping product development.