Icon Foods, a leading ingredient supplier that supports the worldwide growth of clean-label food and beverage production, has launched TagaLite, a tagatose sweetener designed to deliver sugar-like functionality and sweetness without added sugars on the Nutrition Facts Panel.
The launch follows the FDA’s clarification that tagatose no longer needs to be declared as an added sugar, expanding use of the ingredient in reduced-sugar and better-for-you formulations.
“The FDA clarification significantly changes the formulation landscape for tagatose as a primary sweetener across better-for-you categories,” said Thom King, Chief Innovations Officer at Icon Foods. “For years, formulators have recognized tagatose’s functional advantages and low glycemic response, but the added sugar labeling requirement limited broader adoption. The FDA clarification removes that barrier and creates new opportunities for brands looking to reduce sugar.”
Tagatose is a rare sugar naturally occurring in small quantities in dairy products. It delivers approximately 90% of the sweetness of sucrose with a near-identical sweetness curve, while containing roughly 60% fewer calories. It is considered a low-glycemic sweetener and has been shown to support prebiotic fermentation by feeding beneficial gut bacteria. Beyond sweetness, tagatose provides many of the key functional properties of sucrose, including browning, bulk and texture.
TagaLite is Icon Foods’ branded tagatose ingredient, providing manufacturers with a ready-to-formulate sweetener that delivers sugar-like functionality and clean sweetness. It supports diabetic-, keto- and GLP-1–friendly product development, reflecting growing demand for reduced-sugar solutions that maintain taste and texture expectations.
TagaLite is particularly well-suited for baked goods, dairy products, beverages, frozen applications, confectionery and better-for-you snacks. In frozen systems, it contributes freeze-point depression and ice crystallization control, helping create smoother, creamier textures in reduced-sugar products. In baked applications, its participation in Maillard delivers a golden color and flavor similar to sucrose.
“TagaLite provides manufacturers with a highly functional, low-calorie sweetener option for sugar reduction,” said King. “Formulators can rebuild sugar’s role in texture, browning, bulk and freeze control, with a clean sweetness that behaves like sugar in real-world applications.”
King said the FDA clarification also positions tagatose as a potential option for manufacturers targeting retail channels where certain high-functionality sweeteners, such as allulose, face restrictions.
With established commercial supply and offering technical formulation support, Icon Foods is positioned to help manufacturers integrate TagaLite into existing and new product systems.
Looking for a sample? Give us a call at (310) 455-9876 or email us at Sales@iconfoods.com
About Icon Foods
Established in 1999, Icon Foods is a natural food ingredient supplier committed to helping manufacturers bring clean, healthy foods and beverages to the global market. Based in Portland, Oregon, Icon Foods focuses on delivering unique sweetening solutions for food manufacturers and formulators to make deep, clean cuts to added sugar naturally. Icon Foods offers a vast variety of sweeteners and bulk ingredients in conventional and organic as well as non-GMO. More information is available at www.iconfoods.com.
