Summary High-protein and functional beverages are booming, but their biggest challenge isn’t formulation—it’s flavor. Packing 50 grams of protein into a 12-ounce RTD is a sensory minefield, especially with the bitterness, astringency, and lingering off-notes that come from dairy and plant proteins. MonkSweet™ LS4 solves this problem through a powerful Read more…
Summary In today’s better-for-you landscape, sugar reduction isn’t just a formulation challenge—it’s an ethical one. As consumers demand transparency, functionality, and clean-label integrity, food scientists are being called to balance sweetness with science, and innovation with responsibility. In this article, we explore why principles like “the dose makes the poison” Read more…
How Your Body Handles Sugar, and Why Cutting it Back Changes Everything Summary Sugar tastes simple, but once it reaches the small intestine it unravels into glucose and fructose, triggering rapid absorption, insulin spikes, liver strain, and—when consumed chronically—metabolic disruptions linked to inflammation, fat accumulation, and chronic disease. Today’s food Read more…
Summary FibRefine™ HG—Icon Foods’ proprietary partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG)—is the unsung hero behind today’s best-performing functional foods and beverages. Unlike traditional guar gum, it dissolves clearly, resists viscosity changes, and delivers proven prebiotic benefits that support gut health, glycemic control, and cholesterol reduction. Recognized by the FDA as a Read more…
A Functional Approach for Food Technologists and Beverage Formulators Summary In the fast-evolving world of functional beverages, gut-healthy sodas are redefining what it means to “drink your wellness.” This white paper from Icon Foods’ Chief Innovation Officer Thom King dives into the science and formulation strategies behind creating carbonated soft Read more…
Summary Allulose is stepping into the spotlight as erythritol faces trade turbulence. With anti-dumping petitions, countervailing duties, and tariff uncertainty tightening around polyols, formulators are turning to KetoseSweet™ allulose—a rare sugar that melts cleanly into formulations, sidesteps tariff risk, and brings consistent performance. Beyond its economic edge, allulose delivers sensory and Read more…
Summary Monk fruit continues its steady climb as the clean-label sweetener of choice for brands pursuing natural, no-sugar claims. Supply remains tightly linked to China’s short harvest window and global logistics, keeping prices firm through late 2025. Looking ahead to 2026, moderate market growth is expected as improved extraction efficiency Read more…
Summary Clean-label sugar reduction in coffee and soda syrups doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor, mouthfeel, or shelf life. In this guide, Icon Foods’ Chief Innovation Officer Thom King shares a practical roadmap for developing indulgent, low-sugar syrups that perform like traditional formulations—without the added sugar baggage. By combining allulose Read more…
Summary MonkSweet™ LS4 is Icon Foods’ next-generation stevia–monk fruit blend engineered to deliver clean, sugar-like sweetness with exceptional masking performance in complex formulations. By combining mogroside V from monk fruit with rebaudioside M (Reb M) from stevia, LS4 activates multiple sweet receptors to produce a fast-onset, rounded flavor curve that mimics Read more…
A comparative analysis of top fibers in food and beverage formulations Summary Agave inulin, chicory root inulin, and soluble tapioca fiber are three powerhouse ingredients shaping today’s better-for-you food and beverage formulations. Each offers unique benefits—from agave’s mild sweetness and prebiotic support, to chicory root’s strong digestive health benefits and Read more…