Globally, sugar consumption contracted slightly between 2017-2020, due to a number of reasons, one of which is the continuing war on sugar and the associated imposition of sugar taxes, while another is thought to be the growing choice of alternative sweeteners, particularly those sourced from natural feedstocks. These allow food and beverage manufacturers to claim their product as a ‘healthy’ life-style choice whilst achieving significant sugar reduction. This study provides an update to the ISO’s paper on alternative sweeteners (sugar substitutes) released in 2017. Attention is first directed towards developments and prospects for the key caloric alternatives to sugar. High fructose syrup (HFS) – known as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in the leading producer, the US – dominates this category. In the second part attention is turned to high intensity sweeteners (HIS) including the well-established legacy sweeteners – Saccharin, Cyclamate, Aspartame and Acesulfame-K, as well as second generation artificial sweeteners such as Sucralose, Neotame and Advantame. Whilst legacy sweeteners still dominate the HIS market, growth is predominantly in “natural HIS” (derived from sources such as leaves, berries and fruits) including Stevia sweeteners, Luo Han Guo (monk fruit) and sweet proteins (such as Brazzein and Thaumatin). Finally, low intensity sweeteners (LIS), particularly Erythritol, and rare sugars – especially Allulose, are also considered, where new biotech platforms are allowing commercialisation at scale.
Whilst providers of alternative sweeteners extol the ability of their offerings (often combined with fibre and other bulking agents) to fully substitute for sugar in “great tasting” products, there is no empirical evidence at a global level, as yet, that alternative sweeteners are diminishing sugar’s share of the global sweeteners market. That said, at a country level there have been losses; the total substitution of sugar by HFCS in US carbonated soft drinks being the most obvious example. Even so, consumer preferences are evidently changing, and product innovation centred on natural sweeteners will likely increase. Sugar’s market share potentially could slowly erode over the coming years, marking a key structural change.
Introduction
Background
Overview: World Sweeteners Market
A: Alternative Caloric Sweeteners
High Fructose Syrup (HFS)
Global Overview and Drivers
North America
Europe
Asia
B: High Intensity Sweeteners
The Structure of HIS Demand
The Special Role of China
(1) Synthetic HIS
Saccharin
Aspartame
Cyclamate
Acesulfame-K
Sucralose
Next Generation Aspartame Sweeteners
(2) Natural HIS
Stevia
Overcapacity and Low Prices
New Stevia Sweetener Production Technologies
(i) New Cultivars
(ii) Enzymatically Modified Leaf Extracts
(iii) Fermentation Stevia
Sustainability a New Focal Point
Luo Han Guo (Monk fruit)
(3) Sweet Proteins
Thaumatin
Brazzein
C: Low Calorie - Low Intensity Sweeteners
Sugar Alcohols (Polyalcohols)
Erythritol
Low Calorie Rare Sugars
Allulose (D-Psicose)
Conclusions