The Coca Cola Company's 'Sweetener Challenge' comes as a response to the growing public sentiment against sugar in food and beverages. The massive beverage conglomerate has put out a challenge to food scientists and researchers to develop a low- or no-calorie sweetener that can serve as a substitute to sugar, with a one million dollar prize for the winning entry.
As more information about the ill health effects of sucrose come to the fore, consumers are increasingly looking for options that offer taste great without being loaded with the compound. For researchers, the guidelines for finding this miracle sweetener are deceptively simple: it should be safe and natural, and it must not contain stevia, lo han guo (also known as monk fruit), or any species or substance listed as protected. Beyond those restrictions, researchers and scientists can submit any compound that's safe for consumption.
The company will announce its round of semi-finalists early in 2018, and after another round of extensive testing, it will award the million dollar grand prize toward the end of the year.
Scientific Sweetener Challenges
Coca Cola's 'Sweetener Challenge' Offers Researchers $1,000,000
Trend Themes
1. Low-calorie Sweeteners - Developing low-calorie sweeteners as a substitute for sugar offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in the food and beverage industry.
2. Natural Sweeteners - Creating safe and natural sweeteners provides a disruptive innovation opportunity in addressing the demand for healthier alternatives to sugar.
3. Alternative Sweeteners - Discovering new compounds that are safe for consumption as sweeteners presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the food science and research field.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - The food and beverage industry can benefit from the development of low- or no-calorie sweeteners to meet the growing demand for healthier options.
2. Health and Wellness - The health and wellness industry can explore the use of natural sweeteners as a healthier alternative to sugar in various products.
3. Science and Research - The science and research industry can participate in the challenge to find new and safe compounds for consumption as sweeteners, opening up opportunities for innovative breakthroughs.