Cargill Extends Slowly Digestible Sweeteners Portfolio

Xtend Sucromalt can replace multiple sweeteners and bulking agents in many formulations. This allows food manufacturers to simplify ingredient labels and potentially reduce the amount of simple sugars in the formulation.

09/01/07 Cargill, a leading supplier of sweetness solutions, is seeking EU approval for Xtend Sucromalt, its newest slowly digestible sweetener. Xtend Isomaltulose, also part of Cargill's family of slowly digestible sweeteners, already has novel foods approval in Europe. Both sweeteners have GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) status in the United States and together they offer the benefits of slow energy release, a blunted glycaemic response and a sweet taste for a very wide range of applications.

Xtend Isomaltulose is obtained from sucrose by enzymatic conversion. It provides the full energy of both glucose and fructose, but is released over a longer period of time. The slow energy release from Xtend Isomaltulose supports a balanced energy supply to muscle and brain, making the product perfect for the formulation of sports drinks, energy drinks and tablets, cereal bars and meal replacements.

While not yet included in the US Code of Federal Regulations to allow a dental health claim, Xtend Isomaltulose is tooth friendly, adding to its credentials as an ingredient for sport and energy boost products. Cargill’s Xtend Isomaltulose is approved for use in the EU in all foods according to GMP.

Xtend Sucromalt is derived from sucrose and maltose, provides the full energy of sucrose, and has a clean, sweet taste. Because it is a syrup, it allows food and beverage manufacturers to apply the benefits of a sugar alternative with slow energy release and low glycaemic response to an even wider range of applications. Additionally, Xtend Sucromalt can replace multiple sweeteners and bulking agents in many formulations. This allows food manufacturers to simplify ingredient labels and potentially reduce the amount of simple sugars in the formulation.

“Xtend Isomaltulose and Xtend Sucromalt together fill a functional gap between full-calorie sweeteners and reduced-calorie sweeteners such as polyols. The potential benefit of slow digestibility is a sustained energy supply resulting in a blunted glycaemic response, which presents opportunities for food manufacturers to create low-GI products”, Anne Mollerus, Global Product Line Manager commented. “With Xtend Isomaltulose behaving like a sugar and Xtend Sucromalt behaving like a corn syrup, the products have great potential for inclusion into a wide range of applications. Xtend Isomaltulose is already available in Europe. We are confident of gaining Novel Foods approval next year for Xtend Sucromalt, as it is an excellent example of a solution that will help food manufacturers respond to the latest trends,” Mollerus added.