On October 7th, 2025, we had the pleasure of joining the FNLI event, made possible by Foodvalley. We’re proud and grateful to have been invited to contribute to such an inspiring day focused on innovation in the food industry.
Foodvalley asked us to share our expertise on sugar reduction a topic that has never been more relevant for manufacturers, brands, and consumers alike.
Mr. Ed van Wankum gladly took the stage to highlight practical ways companies can lower their sugar content without compromising on taste, texture, or quality.
During his presentation, Mr van Wankum introduced several sugar-reducing and functional ingredients, including Stevia, Monk Fruit Extract, FOS (Fructooligosaccharides), GOS (Galactooligosaccharides), and XOS Xylo-oligosaccharides. The lattest is not only slightly sweet but also a fantastic prebiotic, supporting gut health and overall wellbeing. But with a sweet taste.
Spotlight on Polydextrose The Future of Sugar Reduction
A key focus of the session was Polydextrose, one of our most versatile and impactful ingredients for sugar reduction. Polydextrose can replace bulk sugar in many applications from bakery to beverages and from Syrups to ice cream while adding minimized calories and maintaining the desired mouthfeel.
We offer a standard material, a white powder material and a sugar-free material both in powder and liquid forms. giving manufacturers maximum flexibility in formulation. By using Polydextrose, companies can achieve a sugar reduction, depending on the recipe, while improving fibre content and reducing calories.
Why Sugar Reduction Matters
Reducing sugar is more than just a trend it’s a health-driven movement. High sugar intake is linked to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. By reformulating with smarter, functional ingredients, companies can meet consumer demand for healthier options and support better long-term wellbeing.
At VW Ingredients, we believe that healthier products shouldn’t come at the expense of great taste or cost. Many assume sugar reduction means higher expenses, but in practice, high-intensity sweeteners such as Stevia and Monk Fruit are far more potent than sugar, meaning you need less to achieve the same sweetness. Combined with cost-effective bulk replacers like Polydextrose, sugar-reduced formulations can be surprisingly economical.
Let’s Create Healthier Products Together
Every product is unique, and so is every formulation. If you’re exploring how sugar reduction could work for your business, our team would be happy to help you find the right solution.
Reach out to us together, we’ll find the perfect balance of taste, texture, and health.