Let’s face it—formulating reduced-sugar products used to be a grind. Sugar brought structure, sweetness, browning, and mouthfeel—and replacing it often meant trading one compromise for another. But not anymore. Enter PreBiotica™ FOS, Icon Foods’ versatile, gut-friendly fructooligosaccharide (FOS) solution that checks all the right boxes for today’s clean-label, function-forward food and beverage innovations.
Whether you’re building keto bars, prebiotic sodas, high-fiber baked goods, or no-added-sugar snacks, PreBiotica FOS delivers on taste, texture, functionality, and wellness—without the label baggage.
What Is PreBiotica™ FOS?
PreBiotica™ is a short-chain fructooligosaccharide derived from non-GMO sources. It’s a type of soluble fiber that tastes mildly sweet, delivers zero net carbs, and has prebiotic properties that feed your customer’s microbiome—not their blood sugar.
Think of it as fiber with benefits: gentle sweetness, excellent solubility, and gut-health functionality baked right in.
Key Functional Benefits (That Actually Work for Formulators)
Mild Sweetness with Zero Sugar
- Sweetness profile is about 30–50% of sucrose—perfect as a background note or companion to high-intensity sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit.
- Helps round out off-notes, fill in flavor gaps with allulose, and smooth out cooling effects from erythritol.
Prebiotic Fiber Power
- Feeds Bifidobacteria in the gut, contributing to short-chain fatty acid production—especially butyrate, which is gold for gut lining health.
- Supports digestive health claims and functional labeling: “Supports digestive wellness”, “Good source of fiber,” or “Prebiotic” (depending on usage level).
Moisture Retention & Shelf Life
- In bars, baked goods, and snack formats, PreBiotica™ helps lock in moisture, preventing the dreaded “fiber brick” texture over time.
- Improves chewiness and softness, especially in slab-formed and cold-pressed products.
Label-Friendly & Easy to Work With
- Declared simply as “Fructooligosaccharides” or “Prebiotic Fiber” (depending on regulatory classification).
- Fully non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free
- GRAS-affirmed and compliant with most global food safety standards
Stack It Smart: Pairing with FibRefine™ Soluble Tapioca Fiber
Want to unlock even more functionality and improve GI tolerance? Stack PreBiotica™ FOS with FibRefine™ soluble tapioca fiber.
This combo is a formulation dream team:
- PreBiotica™ FOS brings sweetness, fermentability, and fast prebiotic action.
- FibRefine™ soluble tapioca fiber offers long-chain, digestion-resistant structure with a slower fermentation curve.
- Together, they create a synergistic fiber matrix that supports gut health across the full length of the colon.
Benefits of the Stack:
- Smoother digestion: Using both long- and short-chain fibers reduces gas and bloating sometimes associated with using FOS alone.
- Improved texture: FibRefine™ enhances body and viscosity while PreBiotica™ keeps things soft and chewy.
- Balanced sweetness & fiber: You get functional fiber plus subtle sweetness—no need to overload on polyols.
The bar chart below compares the GI tolerance—measured as the percentage of subjects reporting no significant gastrointestinal discomfort—for:
- PreBiotica™ FOS (~60% tolerance)
- FibRefine™ Soluble Tapioca Fiber (~85% tolerance)
- Combination Stack (~80% tolerance)
Overlayed line showing relative sweetness vs. sucrose (PreBiotica™ FOS ≈30%, FibRefine™ ≈0%, Combination ≈15%)
You can see that FibRefine alone tends to be better tolerated, while the stack still improves tolerability versus FOS alone, though slightly below FibRefine’s standalone performance.
This combination is especially effective in protein bars, high-fiber snacks, and functional confections where gut health, glycemic control, and consumer comfort are all front-of-mind.
Ideal Applications for PreBiotica™ FOS
| Application | Benefit of Using PreBiotica™ FOS + FibRefine™ |
| Protein Bars | Enhances chew, boosts fiber, supports GI comfort |
| Functional Beverages | Adds smooth mouthfeel, balances sweetness, supports microbiome |
| Gummies/Chews | Adds chew and prebiotic benefits without digestive backlash |
| Keto Baked Goods | Keeps net carbs low and texture soft |
| Snack Clusters | Improves binding and gut-friendly fiber content |
Insider Formulation Tips
- Use PreBiotica™ at 2–8% of formulation weight
- Stacked with FibRefine™ at 5–12% for ideal texture and fiber claim support
- Pair with stevia, monk fruit, and allulose for a well-rounded sweetness profile without added sugar or digestive discomfort
Why PreBiotica™ FOS Is a No-Brainer in Today’s Market
Consumers are hungry for products that do more: reduce sugar, support digestion, and feel indulgent—all at once. PreBiotica™ and FibRefine™ let you hit those targets without trade-offs. It’s not just fiber—it’s your clean-label toolbox for building the future of better-for-you food.
And because it’s backed by Icon Foods, you’ve got supply assurance, regulatory confidence, and the R&D support to bring it all to life.
Ready to Build Your Next Gut-Loving, Sugar-Smart Innovation?
Let’s make it chewy. Let’s make it functional. Let’s make it taste amazing.
Ask us about samples, application support, or custom blends featuring PreBiotica™ FOS and FibRefine™ soluble tapioca fiber.
Reach out to your Icon Foods representative for PreBiotica™ FOS and FibRefine™ soluble tapioca fiber, samples, documentation formulation, 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.
