ADM Enters Sucralose Space Despite Challenging Market

13 Mar 2015 --- In line with its ongoing bid to operate in the more dynamic ingredients sector, food ingredients manufacturer Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has announced the launch of VivaSweet Sucralose, a zero-calorie sweetener suitable for use in virtually any food or beverage.

ADM is entering a market that is almost entirely dominated by Splenda, the Tate & Lyle brand of sucralose, which has been on the market since 1992. Not only is ADM taking on a giant in the sweetener world, but it is also taking a big financial risk. The sucralose market is currently making very little profit, largely due to high prices. In November, Tate & Lyle chief executive Javed Ahmed commented that he could not see how Tate & Lyle or any other company could make money from sucralose at this time. This is largely due to intense competition from China.

Health-related worries have also marred sucralose’s success in recent years, not least the possible link between sucralose and leukemia in mice. This led the Centre for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) to downgrade sucralose from ‘safe’ to ‘caution’ until further research is carried out. EFSA and the FDA both approve sucralose for use in foodstuffs.

ADM’s VivaSweet blends well with other sweeteners and can be used for a variety of beverage, baking and dairy applications, among others.

“VivaSweet offers ease of use in formulation and processing across a variety of applications and rounds out a robust portfolio of alternative sweetener products offered by ADM,” said Rodney Schanefelt, business manager, Corn Sweeteners for ADM. “With zero calories, VivaSweet allows formulators to offer low-calorie foods and beverages that taste great and maintain the sweetness desired by consumers.”

Shelf life studies have demonstrated that products sweetened with sucralose retain their sweetness throughout extended periods of storage. Furthermore, because of its stability under heat and over a broad range of pH conditions, VivaSweet is suitable for use in demanding food and beverage applications.

ADM offers a wide selection of sweeteners with the added benefit of a powerful global research and development network. With the strength and resources to support the supply chain and ensure quality, ADM can support varying customer needs with sweeteners that address challenges related to taste, calories, flavor intensity, viscosity, glycemic response, particle size and price. For more information about VivaSweet and other ADM products and services, visit www.VivaSweet.com.