Oobli Partners with Ingredion to Revolutionize Sweetener Production

Oobli, a startup specializing in sugar alternatives, has announced a strategic partnership with Ingredion, a leading global ingredients company. This collaboration aims to scale the production of Oobli’s innovative sweet proteins, enabling the biotech firm to enhance its market presence for plant-based sweeteners. This move follows Oobli’s recent regulatory approval, which marks a significant milestone in the journey toward healthier sweetening solutions.

The partnership allows Oobli to showcase its alternative sweeteners to a broader range of food manufacturers looking to reduce or eliminate sugar in their products. Both companies have already begun testing several co-developed products, seeking to identify market opportunities for sweet proteins alongside other natural sweeteners, such as stevia.

In a recent interview with Food Dive, Oobli CEO Ali Wing highlighted the synergy between the two companies, stating, “We’re collaborating to look at how we can make sweets healthier and make them available to more people. There’s a lot of synergies that just make a ton of sense in this partnership. We might be able to help them complete solutions and vice versa.”

Innovative Sweetening Solutions

Oobli’s sweeteners, derived from two types of West African berries, offer a remarkable sweetness—up to 2,000 times sweeter than sucrose. This makes them a compelling, low-cost alternative to traditional sugar across a variety of products, including sodas, baked goods, and candies. The company’s approach not only addresses consumer demand for healthier options, but also aligns with broader trends in the food industry towards reducing sugar content.

Nate Yates, vice president and general manager of sugar reduction and fiber fortification at Ingredion, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We’ve long been at the forefront of innovation in sugar reduction solutions, and our work with sweet proteins is an exciting new chapter in that journey.”

In December, Oobli achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first company to receive regulatory approval from the FDA to market its sweet proteins as a safe sweetening option. The agency classified two of Oobli’s sweet proteins as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), paving the way for their introduction into the food market.

Consumer Demand for Healthier Options

Founded in 2014, Oobli has gained considerable traction in recent years, particularly as consumers increasingly prioritize protein in their diets. In conjunction with its partnership with Ingredion, Oobli successfully raised $18 million in funding from new investors, further solidifying its position in the market.

While Oobli’s sweeteners are not a significant source of protein—given the small quantities required for sweetening—Wing notes that the proteins do provide some health benefits due to their biological composition. Unlike sugars, which are small molecules absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream, Oobli’s proteins are large molecules that undergo breakdown before absorption, making them less likely to spike blood glucose levels.

Wing explained, “Sugars interact with the metabolic system differently than proteins. They can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health issues. In contrast, proteins are broken down before absorption and do not upset blood glucose levels as much in healthy individuals.”

Environmental Sustainability and Health Benefits

Oobli’s sweeteners also present sustainability benefits, as sugar cultivation has been associated with significant environmental degradation, including deforestation. Wing emphasized that the goal of Oobli’s products is not to “demonize” sugar but to provide consumers with a healthier and more sustainable alternative for satisfying their sweet cravings.

“What I want to do is give you the sweets you love, and do it in a way that makes it better for all of us,” Wing stated. This philosophy underscores Oobli’s commitment to not only enhancing consumer health but also promoting environmental sustainability in food production.

As Oobli and Ingredion continue to innovate and collaborate, the future of sweetening solutions looks promising, offering consumers a pathway to enjoy sweetness without compromising their health or the environment.