Daily Management Review

Nestle to halve amount of sugar in chocolate


12/01/2016


The world's largest food manufacturer Nestle announced a scientific breakthrough. The discovery will help dramatically reduce level of sugar in chocolate.



eliduke via flickr
eliduke via flickr
KitKat and Aero’s manufacturer claims that the company’s researchers have found a way of structuring sugar, so it can be used in almost half of products. At the same time, it does not affect taste.

The company said that the invention is currently being patented. The new sugar can be incorporated into production before 2018.

The gist of the invention is that the new sugar structure facilitates more rapid dissolution. This tricks the taste buds, which recognize sweetness.

Stefan Catsicas, Chief Technology Officer of Nestle, called the discovery ‘truly innovative’.

It is impossible to give an exact figure of sugar content in chocolate because various brands contain different amount. Milk chocolate typically has 50% of sugar, which originates from milk used. White chocolate comprises is 60% pure sugar. Amount of sugar in dark chocolate ranges from zero to 40%, or no, but most people believe this chocolate is too bitter.

Professor Julian Cooper, an independent consultant on food production technology, noted relevance of the company's development, as many people are now trying to reduce amount of consumed sugar.

Professor Cooper, who has worked with the sugar for 40 years, noted that the invention may encourage competitors to make similar advances, it's a double-edged sword: on the one hand, it protects you, on the other - informs and stimulates new moves of competitors.

Nestle has revised its product range since 2007, when the company introduced their new "global policy to reduce sugar."

Other food manufacturers have also made technological breakthroughs in the use of ingredients. Six years ago, PepsiCo, which owns Walkers crisps brand, developed a new molecule of salt. The ingredient allows using smaller amounts of sodium, and does not impairs taste of the product.

Previously, a research team led by Professor Marion Nestle analyzed the results of a number of research projects. According to them, sugar is not as dangerous as it is often claimed. "Many modern companies make people believe that sugar is poisonous. However, all this is nothing more than a marketing ploy. Healthy people can eat sugar every day, without worrying for the state of their body, "- said, in particular, Marion Nestle.
 
American scientists have come to believe that a healthy person can eat daily to 12.5 teaspoons of sugar without risk of undermining health. Although most nutritionists now say that sugar is the main cause of obesity, researchers from New York University, insist it is not. "Harmful is not sugar, but high-calorie food that contains it. Excessive amounts of these foods in daily ration provoke development of health problems and obesity, "- the paper’s authors believe.

Scientists also specified that products with high amounts of artificial sweeteners do the greatest damage to body and health. 

source: nytimes.com