Calorie Foods Innovation FDA Draft Sparks Hope for Reduced Sugar Products
Ingredion Calorie Foods Incorporated, a global leader in ingredient solutions across multiple industries, has announced a major development that stands to transform sugar reduction efforts across the food and beverage landscape in the United States. With the release of new draft guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), food and beverage manufacturers can now confidently accelerate the development of reduced-sugar products using ASTRAEA® Allulose—a low-calorie sweetener that mimics the taste and functionality of sugar but without the associated calories and grams of sugar.
The FDA’s draft guidance outlines the agency’s intent to allow allulose to be excluded from the “Total Sugars” and “Added Sugars” sections on Nutrition and Supplement Facts labels. Calorie Foods This pivotal decision also includes the use of a general caloric factor of 0.4 calories per gram for allulose when determining total caloric content. Calorie Foods While this guidance remains in draft form pending rulemaking, its immediate implications are significant. It opens the door for manufacturers to market products with lower sugar and calorie counts—an increasingly vital selling point in today’s health-conscious market.
What Is ASTRAEA Allulose?
ASTRAEA Allulose is a rare sugar that occurs naturally in small quantities in foods like figs, raisins, and maple syrup. However,Calorie Foods it can now be commercially produced in greater volumes for use in a wide range of applications. It provides approximately 70 percent of the sweetness of sucrose (table sugar) and performs much like sugar in recipes, contributing essential functionalities such as bulking, browning, and freeze point depression—critical for product texture and quality, especially in baked goods, dairy products, and beverages.
What sets allulose apart from other sweeteners is how the body processes it. Although it is absorbed by the body, it is not metabolized into glucose, which means it contributes virtually no calories. This unique trait makes it an exceptional choice for Calorie Foods formulators seeking to meet consumer demand for products that support healthier lifestyles without compromising on taste or indulgence.
Responding to Consumer Demand for Sugar Reduction
The surge in demand for lower-sugar products is more than just a passing trend—it reflects a fundamental shift in consumer preferences. According to the HealthFocus International Global Sweetener Report, more than half of consumers in 2018 listed reducing sugar intake as their top dietary priority. Ingredion’s internal studies support this finding. Afrouz Naeini, Ingredion’s Regional Platform Leader for Sugar Reduction in the U.S. and Canada, emphasizes the importance of this change.
“From our consumer research, we know that more than 60 percent of shoppers actively monitor sugar content in the products they buy,” Naeini said. “ASTRAEA Allulose gives brands a real opportunity to respond to this concern by lowering sugar and calorie counts on their product labels—something that is even more achievable now, thanks to the FDA’s new draft guidance.”
Ingredion’s own consumer research—which surveyed over 1,000 participants—revealed a high level of interest in low-calorie sweeteners that deliver not only on health but also on flavor and satisfaction. After being informed about allulose and its benefits, over 70 percent of consumers expressed interest in trying products formulated with it.
For a specific subset of consumers—those managing conditions like diabetes or monitoring their blood sugar—ASTRAEA Allulose is especially promising. According to Naeini, these “sugar-free condition managers” often feel limited in their food choices. With allulose, they can enjoy indulgent flavors and familiar textures without worrying about added sugar or spikes in blood sugar.
“ASTRAEA Allulose is the breakthrough many of these consumers have been waiting for,” said Naeini. “It allows them to experience indulgent eating again, and for manufacturers, it offers a powerful new tool to develop better-for-you products that people are excited to buy.”
Scaling Up Production and Innovation
To meet growing demand and ensure a consistent supply of this game-changing ingredient, Ingredion is actively expanding its manufacturing capabilities. A dedicated ASTRAEA Allulose production facility in Mexico is currently under construction, with commercial-scale availability expected later this year. This investment signals Ingredion’s long-term commitment to sugar reduction and consumer health.
“With the FDA announcement, we can now work more closely with our customers to realize the full potential of ASTRAEA Allulose,” added Naeini. “Our team is ready to support them in creating innovative, lower-sugar products that align with today’s health and wellness trends, without compromising on the flavor and indulgence consumers crave.”
A Partnership Rooted in Research and Innovation
The development of ASTRAEA Allulose was made possible through Ingredion’s strategic partnership with Matsutani Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., a pioneer in rare sugar research based in Japan. Matsutani has spent over 15 years exploring and refining rare sugars, including allulose, making substantial contributions to the global scientific understanding of these unique ingredients.
It was Matsutani’s proprietary research and clinical studies that helped shape the FDA’s evolving stance on allulose. Their partnership with Ingredion ensures that customers benefit not only from the latest scientific advances but also from Ingredion’s deep application and formulation expertise.
A Comprehensive Approach to Sugar Reduction
Beyond ASTRAEA Allulose, Ingredion provides a broad portfolio of sugar reduction solutions, including naturally derived stevia leaf sweeteners, polyols, low-sugar glucose syrups, and short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS®). These ingredients, combined with the company’s technical expertise through Ingredion Idea Labs® innovation centers, allow manufacturers to develop products with the perfect balance of taste, texture, and nutrition.
For formulators aiming to stay ahead in the evolving food and beverage industry, ASTRAEA Allulose offers an ideal solution: a clean, sweet taste with indulgent appeal—minus the sugar and calories. It supports both the demand for healthier options and the timeless consumer desire for enjoyment in food.
To learn more about ASTRAEA Allulose and explore how Ingredion’s team of experts can help create reduced-sugar products that resonate in today’s competitive marketplace, visit Ingredion.com or contact your regional Ingredion representative.
