Oobli, a company based in Davis, California, has unveiled a new natural sweetener derived from proteins rather than carbohydrates. The product, which mimics the taste of sugar, is the first of its kind to receive GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) certification for commercial use. It offers a potential solution to the growing concerns over excessive sugar consumption and its associated health risks, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Fighting sugar’s global health crisis
The sweetener, produced through fermentation, is designed to be used as a sugar replacement in food and beverage formulations. Unlike traditional sweeteners, which are carbohydrate-based and contribute to blood sugar spikes, Oobli’s protein-based ingredient does not cause these metabolic issues.
According to Oobli’s Founder and CTO, Dr. Jason Ryder, this innovation presents an opportunity to address public health challenges linked to excessive sugar intake. “We now have an opportunity to change the trajectory of human health and wellbeing with a better and more nourishing form of sweetness from sweet proteins,” said Ryder.
1,000 time sweeter, less sugar
Oobli’s product is derived from sweet proteins found in fruits and berries, with a manufacturing process that combines traditional fermentation techniques and modern bioengineering. This process results in a sweetener that is not a carbohydrate but a protein, which the body processes differently than sugar. One gram of Oobli’s sweetener can be up to 1,000 times sweeter than sugar, allowing for substantial reductions in sugar content in products while maintaining a similar taste experience.
The company claims that switching to this protein-based sweetener could have a significant environmental impact. Oobli estimates that if their sweetener were to replace just 1% of sugar usage globally, it could save 525,000 acres of farmland, reduce carbon emissions by a million metric tons, and conserve 88 million gallons of water.
Oobli’s innovation has already garnered attention from major players in the food and beverage industry. The company is collaborating with Ingredion, a global leader in food ingredients, and BIMBO, the largest baked goods company in the world. Ingredion’s Vice President Nate Yates stated, “Our collaboration with Oobli on sweet proteins represents an exciting step forward in sugar reduction—one that aligns with our broader mission to enable healthier choices across the food and beverage industry.”
