Back in February 2005, Coca-Cola announced it would introduce a
new version of its classic drink sweetened with Splenda (sucralose);
and before consumers could blink twice, PepsiCo revealed it too
would use Splenda in its reformulated Pepsi One cola.
But it didn't stop there ...
Soft drink manufacturer Cadbury Schweppes recently announced the
addition of Splenda to Diet 7Up, a decision based on consumer feedback
that suggested the artificial sweetener was the one they would prefer
listed on a soft drink can.
McNeil Nutritionals, makers of Splenda, would like you to believe
that it is natural because it is made from sugar. While it starts
out natural and being made from sugar, it winds up as a completely
artificial, synthetic product. . Sucralose is produced by chlorinating
sugar (sucrose). This involves chemically changing the structure
of the sugar molecules by substituting three chlorine atoms for
three hydroxyl groups.
Trouble for Tate & Lyle?
Tate & Lyle, the UK-based makers of Splenda, may have good
reason to be concerned about the future of its artificial sweetener.
Why? There's been a buzz around the business press that the exclusive
patents on Splenda may be expiring as soon as 2006.
Currently, Tate & Lyle own 32 different patents (from commercial
blends and products to processing) on Splenda.
What's more, investment bank Goldman Sachs downgraded Tate &
Lyle to 'underperform' from neutral, and have suggested that the
artificial sweetener will face competition from alternatives soon,
heralding lower costs for food and beverage makers as
sucralose makers compete for market share. Analysts say the pressure
of generics is creeping up on the firm.
Food
Navigator Europe April 21, 2005
Food
Navigator USA.com April 25, 2005
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