FibRefine™ GA: The Smooth Operator of Functional Fibers

Summary

Smooth. Stable. Gut-Friendly. FibRefine™ GA gum acacia is the quiet powerhouse every formulator needs in their better-for-you toolkit. This clean-label, high-tolerance fiber blends seamlessly into bars, beverages, and snacks—bringing body, stability, and prebiotic benefits without digestive drama. From emulsifying plant-based drinks to binding protein bars, FibRefine™ GA works behind the scenes to deliver smooth textures, balanced mouthfeel, and label appeal your consumers will love.

Authored by: Thom King, Icon Foods
Chief Innovations Officer/Certified Food Scientist

Let’s talk about gum acacia — the fiber with a low ego and high impact. At Icon Foods, we’ve encapsulated its clean-label, high-performance superpowers under the FibRefine™ GA umbrella. If you’re formulating in the better-for-you space—whether you’re crafting a functional soda, building the next-gen protein bar, or playing fiber Tetris in a keto cookie — FibRefine GA deserves a spot in your toolbox.

Here is your guided tour through why FibRefine GA is a formulator’s fiber dream. We’ll break down its regulatory cred, where it shines, how it stacks up, and how to use it without triggering any digestive fireworks.

Regulatory Street Cred: Is It Fiber According to the FDA? You Bet It Is.

Under 21 CFR §101.9(c)(6)(i), the FDA says dietary fiber can include isolated non-digestible carbohydrates that confer a physiological benefit to human health. In 2021, the FDA reviewed the science and granted gum acacia (a.k.a. gum arabic) enforcement discretion to be counted as dietary fiber on labels.

That means if you’re adding FibRefine GA to your bar, beverage, or RTD shake, you’re not just boosting viscosity — you’re earning real dietary fiber grams on your NFP. Icon Foods’ FibRefine GA checks the CFR box as a soluble, non-digestible, fermentable carbohydrate with documented health benefits: prebiotic effects, improved satiety, and increased stool frequency (without the “oh-no” GI side effects of some other fibers).

What Makes FibRefine GA So Appealing in Formulations?

• Ultra-Clean Label
  • Let’s start here. Consumers love labels they can pronounce. “Acacia” sounds natural because it is natural; it’s a tree exudate, tapped like maple syrup and spray-dried to a functional powder. No enzymes, no synthetics, no funky aftertaste. Kosher, Halal, non-GMO, gluten-free, organic-available. And it plays well with most major certification schemes.
• No GI Firework
  • You’ve probably wrestled with inulin, polydextrose, or resistant dextrin — great on paper but risky in a clinical trial of one (read: a consumer’s gut). FibRefine GA is well tolerated at up to 30–40g/day, with a fermentation profile that’s as smooth and slow as a jazz ballad. Minimal gas, no bloating. Ideal for stacking with more assertive fibers like agave inulin and soluble tapioca in a blend (hint: FibRefine 3.5).
• Functional Magic
  • Gum acacia isn’t just sitting pretty on a label—it does work:
    • Emulsifies fats and oils (great for plant-based drinks)
    • Stabilizes foams and suspensions
    • Builds viscosity without adding gloop
    • Improves mouthfeel, especially in low-sugar and low-fat systems

In short: it brings both form and function. It’s a texture hero in reduced-sugar beverages where erythritol or allulose would otherwise leave things watery.

Best Uses: Where FibRefine GA Shines

Functional Beverages & Prebiotic Sodas

Think gut-friendly sodas, RTD protein shakes, collagen drinks, and electrolyte formulas. FibRefine GA disperses beautifully, keeps sediment in suspension, and doesn’t hijack your flavor system.

Use Rate: 1–5g per serving
Benefit: Stabilization, fiber declaration, clean taste, viscosity boost

Bars, Cookies & High-Fiber Snacks

Bars often need binding without the plasticity of syrup or the grit of added starches. FibRefine GA delivers that smooth binding effect while stacking dietary fiber.

Use Rate: 3–8g per serving
Benefit: Adds structure, soft chew, and prebiotic functionality—without taking over the flavor profile

Dairy & Plant-Based RTD

Plant milks, keto creamers, and protein RTDs get extra body and fiber without sediment or chalk. FibRefine GA can co-star with soluble tapioca fiber and inulin for multi-tiered fiber delivery.

Use Rate: 2–6g per serving
Benefit: Creaminess, stability, soluble fiber without viscosity spikes

How FibRefine™ GA Stacks Up Against Other Fibers

Below is a comparison graph showing how FibRefine™ GA (Gum Acacia), Inulin/FOS, Soluble Tapioca Fiber, and Polydextrose perform across solubility, taste, and GI tolerance. FibRefine GA stands out with top marks in all three categories, especially for its digestive friendliness.

Best Practices for Formulators

• Start Slow: For beverage or bar builds, begin with 2–4g/serving and adjust based on desired fiber load and texture.
• Blend Wisely: Want to hit 10–15g per serving without bloating backlash? Pair FibRefine GA with lower-FODMAP fibers (like soluble tapioca or resistant maltodextrin).
• Hydration Matters: Recommend water intake to consumers if you’re building a high-fiber formulation.
• Watch Your pH: FibRefine GA plays well across a broad pH range but is happiest in the 3.5–7.5 zone.
• Heat-Stable: Use it in baked bars or extruded snacks—it holds up like a champ.

The Icon Advantage

At Icon Foods, we don’t just supply fibers—we formulate with you. Our FibRefine™ line is more than just a catalog of ingredients; it’s a curated collection of metabolic, prebiotic, and sensory solutions. FibRefine™ GA is a foundational piece in that stack. And when you stack smart — with Reb M, allulose, erythritol, thaumatin, monk fruit, and the right fibers — you create a symphony of sweetness, function, and label-friendliness.

Gum acacia isn’t flashy, but in better-for-you formulations, it’s the kind of quiet professional that gets the job done without fuss. FibRefine GA is your go-to for clean label, high-tolerance, high-function fiber that plays nice with others and earns you dietary fiber claims without digestive consequences.

It’s time to give this workhorse fiber its moment in the spotlight—and trust it to carry your bar, beverage, or snack into a gut-friendly future.

Reach out to your Icon Foods representative FibRefine GA™ gum acacia samples, documentation and usage guidance. 

Since 1999 Icon Foods has been your reliable supply chain partner for sweeteners, fibers, sweetening systems, inclusions and sweetness modulators. 

Taste the Icon difference.