Nestle, one of the largest food companies in the world, announced that it has developed a method to reformulate sugar. This recent breakthrough that will allow the company to use reduced amounts of sugar in its candy products will be introduced in 2018.
"It is sugar, but it is assembled differently so it can disassemble easily in your mouth with less going into your gastrointestinal tract," said Stefan Catsicas, Nestle's chief technology officer.
Although Dr. Catsicas did not reveal the specifics in the process they have developed, he gave a description regarding the reformulated sugar.
He compared a normal crystal of sugar to a shoe box, with the shoe box and the content made of sugar. Although the new sugar will have the same exterior, it will have less sugar inside. This means that less sugar will also go to the stomach.
With the use of the new restructured sugar, the company will reduce the amounts of sugar in its confectionery lines by 40%. However, the company cleared that this sugar cannot be used to sweeten soda. Neither can it be mixed in to coffee.
The process is developed by the company as part of its measures to promote more healthful ways to make their products by cutting more fat, sugar, salt and artificial additives. The company has previously developed a way to process ice creams with less fat.
"It's all about thinking: How can I expose my sensory system to the taste I'm looking for but with the minimum of that ingredient - and without replacing it with something else," Dr. Catsicas said.
Currently, it is processing the patents for the reformulated sugar. Although the company originally planned to make the announcement after receiving the patents, news about the new sugar leaked so they decided to let the public know about the development. Further details will be released next year.
Nestle may sell the new sugar to other food companies that also want to cut down the sugar on their products.
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