Market Trends of South Africa Food Sweetener Industry
Stevia Is The Growing Sweetener Type
Stevia a natural sweetener, otherwise known as stevia rebaudiana, is known worldwide for its sweet plant leaves. Companies, such as Purecircle are investing heavily in R&D to meet the global demand for plant based sweetener across the entire food and beverage industry. Stevia, has been approved for use in South Africa with the recent promulgation (10 September 2012) of new sweetener regulations. Regulations Relating to the Use of Sweeteners in Foodstuffs, allows the use of extracts of Stevia rebaudiana, in composition and quantities in line with Codex standards, in food and beveglobal stevia consumption could eventually replace 20% to 30% of all dietary sweeteners in the nexrages.
Beverage Segment Is One Of The Major Application Area
Intakes of soft drinks, colas, other sweetened carbonated beverages, and fruit drinks with added sugar have increased dramatically, especially among youth, whereas the intake of milk has declined.The intake of beverages has changed dramatically over the past few decades, coinciding with an increased prevalence of obesity. the South African Revenue Services (SARS) announced that it will start to collect sugar tax from all sweetened beverages, excluding 100% fruit juices. Due to recent studies on the detrimental health impact of beverages containing artificial sweeteners, consumers are increasingly turning to new products, such as ready to drink herbal teas, functional beverages, etc.
