Firmenich has teamed up with Danish biotech company Novozymes to launch a natural sugar reduction solution for dairy products such as yogurt.
The companies claim that TasteGEM SWL with Saphera lactase enables up to 50% sugar reduction in yogurt and other dairy products without the use of sweeteners, while maintaining a natural sweet taste.
According to Firmenich, a synergy is achieved when its sugar reduction solution TasteGem is combined with lactase solution Saphera. As a result, the jointly-developed solution allegedly delivers authentic sweetness and increased creaminess, with the added benefit of lower lactose levels.
The patent-pending technology is described as unlocking the naturally-occurring sweetness of milk, while bridging the sensorial gaps that arise when added sugar is removed.
“We are seeing a significant shift, with consumers ranking reducing sugar as the number one health consideration in their food and beverage choices,” said Emmanuel Butstraen, president of flavours at Firmenich.
He added: “Building on our industry leading, proprietary sugar reduction capabilities, we have joined forces with Novozymes, to develop uniquely optimised dairy solutions for our customers that are both delicious and nutritionally balanced.”
Claus Crone Fuglsang, chief science officer at Novozymes, said: “Our companies’ combined strengths help dairy companies improve their existing products and develop new ones for the growing number of health-conscious consumers looking for dairy products with improved nutritional properties including less sugar and calories.”
The news comes after Firmenich announced that it had created the first ever flavour by artificial intelligence (AI), which offers a beef taste for use in plant-based meat alternatives. Earlier this month, the Swiss company also opened a new pilot plant and laboratory at Geneva to create new ingredients and clean label solutions.
TasteGEM SWL with Saphera lactase is exclusively available from Firmenich in all major markets worldwide.
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