Onions contain high levels of natural sugar. Gourmet Ingredients’ technology can impact the sugar composition in concentrates and increase the fructose content up to 600%, and glucose up to 300%. This makes PlantSweet an ideal solution to replace refined sugars and other artificial sweeteners in company’s formulas. Gourmet Ingredients’ concentrates are developed from carefully selected raw materials to retrieve the best qualities from onions. With onions that are available year-round, it can easily respond to demand fluctuations and guarantee stability in the procurement process, according to Nelson-Jameson.

IFPC's LegacySweet systems enable producers to significantly reduce the sugar content in their products without compromising on taste. The company’s custom sweetener systems are tailored to meet the unique needs of each producer, utilizing sweeteners such as monk fruit, stevia, sucralose and erythritol. These alternatives offer the sweetness consumers desire while offering a healthier profile. Furthermore, IFPC’s Ingredient Technology and Applications team leverages deep industry knowledge to ensure seamless integration and optimal results for its customers, enhancing product appeal and consumer demands for healthier food options, according to the company.

MonkSweet LS4 from Icon Foods is a natural sweetener blend designed for clean-label sugar reduction, especially in high-protein formulations. Combining Mogroside V from monk fruit with Reb M stevia, it delivers a clean, sugar-like sweetness while effectively masking bitterness and off-notes from whey proteins, plant proteins, adaptogens and other challenging ingredients, the company says. Approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar, MonkSweet LS4 enables deep sugar reduction with minimal usage and is stable through thermal processing. Its neutral flavor profile provides balanced sweetness from front- to mid-palate, minimizing aftertastes for an improved taste experience. Available in both conventional and organic forms, MonkSweet LS4 is ideal for no-added-sugar formulations and also pairs well with sucrose to enhance and extend sweetness, making it a versatile tool for modern food and beverage formulators.

Organic coconut sugar from Global Organics offers a rich, caramel-like flavor and color — without any coconut taste — making it a versatile choice for dairy applications, the company says. Sustainably sourced from a single-origin supply in Java, Indonesia, it is derived from the nectar of coconut palm blossoms and is minimally processed to preserve beneficial nutrients like potassium, iron and B vitamins. Available in granular and finely ground forms, it fully dissolves in syrups and adds a crunch when used in a topping. Ideal as a replacement for white or brown cane sugar, coconut sugar brings depth to ice cream bases, caramel swirls and toffee-style inclusions. With a low glycemic index of 35, it supports clean-label formulations and aligns with vegan, paleo and keto diets.

Cargill’s Zerose erythritol is used in many reduced-sugar dairy applications, including ice creams and frozen desserts. Produced in the U.S., the zero-calorie sweetener provides a clean, sugar-like flavor profile, while also replacing some of sugar’s bulk. Erythritol pairs well with stevia and other high-intensity sweeteners, the company says, rounding out its flavor profiles and providing a boost of upfront sweetness. Beyond its sweetening capabilities, erythritol plays other vital functional roles. In ice cream, it helps create scoopable textures thanks to its freezing-point-depression properties. Alongside its sweet taste and functional contributions, the sweetener also offers good digestive tolerance, making it an ideal choice for indulgent dairy products, the company says.

ADM’s newest addition to its proprietary stevia platform, SweetRight Stevia Edgility, leverages advanced stevia leaf agronomy to deliver superior taste. Extracted directly from the stevia leaf and not produced via bioconversion or fermentation, Stevia Edgility can be labeled as “stevia leaf extract.” Stevia Edgility delivers the best value and performance, while providing a superior sweetening profile compared to other rebaudiosides, the company states. Manufacturers can achieve sweet success in reduced-sugar dairy and alternative dairy, resulting in a clean taste and cost optimization. Using the Replace Rebalance Rebuild method, which replaces sweetness, rebalances flavor and rebuilds functionality, the company identifies the best sweetening system for dairy brands, combining Stevia Edgility with other complementary ingredients for consumer-preferred creamy indulgence.