Givaudan is expanding its TasteSolutions^TM health and wellness programme by increasing investment and resources in taste technology to address food manufacturers' sweetness challenges.

The company continues to grow its discovery programme to develop new natural ingredients from botanical sources and biotechnology.

Givaudan also has a pipeline of artificial molecules and USA GRAS* regulatory approval for a new sweetness modifier to add to its existing flavour ingredients palette to help create sweetness and mouthfeel solutions for sugar reduction.

These initiatives are in response to increasing consumer demand for food and beverage products which are perceived as healthier - yet do not compromise on taste.

Over the past year, there has been an additional challenge as sugar prices have increased significantly and, in some countries, sugar itself is in short supply.

"There is already a trend towards reduced-sugar products and the substantial rise in sugar prices over the last year is accelerating reformulation by manufacturers," says Mike Size, Global Head of Beverages.

"We can help customers mitigate rising raw material prices and obtain the great taste and mouthfeel they expect in foods and beverages by enhancing sweetness in low-sugar applications through novel ingredients and building-blocks to bring the taste profile as close as possible to full-sugar."