Technical Insights: Developing Sugar-Free Pectin Gummy Bases

Developing a Sugar-Free Product

Developing Sugar-Free Pectin Gummy Bases represents notable advancement in the Cannabis, Nutraceutical, and Pharmaceutical industries. This option highlights the increasing demand for healthier, functional edibles that deliver therapeutic benefits without added sugars or harmful ingredients. At Melt-to-Make™, we’ve embraced the challenge of creating an all-natural Sugar-Free Gummy Base that’s both delicious and healthy, while also streamlining the gummy manufacturing process.

Blueberry - 10kg - Melt-to-Make™ Sugar-Free Pectin Gummy Base

$299.00

Craft a naturally sweet and juicy Blueberry Sugar-Free Pectin Gummy Base with a vibrant bluish-purple hue. Each batch produces gummies with consistent color, though slight variations may occur due to the natural pigment differences.… read more

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Unflavored - 550kg Tote - Melt-to-Make™ Sugar-Free Pectin Gummy Base

$7,150.00

Ready to bring your unique gummy vision to life? With our Unflavored Melt-to-Make™ Sugar-Free Pectin Gummy Base, creating your own signature flavors and colors has never been easier. Simplify your manufacturing process and craft all-natural gummies that are truly your own.… read more

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Challenges in Formulation

Creating a successful Sugar-Free Pectin Gummy Base involves overcoming significant formulation challenges. The primary hurdle is maintaining the desirable sensory attributes of gummies—such as texture and taste—without using sugar. Traditionally, sugar enhances both flavor and mouthfeel, and makes up the bulk of gummy formulation. To address this, developers utilize fibers as bulking agents. Ideally, these agents not only add volume but also contribute sweetness and offer nutritional benefits. Selecting the right bulking agents is crucial to ensure the gummies retain their structural integrity and shelf stability. Fibers such as tapioca fiber and inulin provide bulk and sweetness and unlike other carbohydrates, fibers aren’t metabolized or broken down into simple sugars. Instead, they act as prebiotics, supporting digestive health by nourishing the gut microbiome—without raising blood sugar levels. 

Understanding Regulatory Standards for Sugar-Free Claims

When it comes to branding your sugar-free product, there are a few different things to keep in mind. These subjects include how your going to market and label your product, and how you want your product to be curated 

A “sugar-free” claim requires that the sugar content be under 0.5g per serving, as per 21 C.F.R. § 101.60(c)(1). You can also use similar terms like:

• Free of sugar
• No sugar
• Zero sugar
• Without sugar
• Sugarless
• Trivial source of sugar

If fully sugar-free isn’t your goal, you can use a “reduced sugar” claim instead, provided:

1. The gummy has at least 25% less sugar than the regular version.
2. The reduction is clearly stated near the claim, such as:
   • “Contains 100% less sugar than our regular gummies.”
3. A direct comparison is included near the claim or nutrition label, like:
   • “Sugar content has been lowered from __g to 0g per serving.”

This flexibility lets manufacturers cater to different customer preferences while also clearly communicating the benefits of a reduced sugar gummy, or a sugar-free gummy. 

Developing Sugar-Free Pectin Gummy Bases with Safe, All-Natural Ingredients 

Initially, we had no interest in developing Sugar-Free Pectin Gummy Bases. As a Registered Dietitian, Co-Founder and VP of Product Development at Melt-to-Make™, I recognized that many sugar-free gummy formulations often rely on ingredients that are both unhealthy and lack good flavor. Yet, due to numerous requests, we decided to embark on the R&D process to see if we could come up with a sugar-free product that was worthy of the Melt-to-Make™ brand. Developing Sugar-Free Pectin Gummy Bases was no small feat but one thing was for sure: if we were going to do it, we were going to do it right!

Sugar-Free, That’s Actually Good for You! 

Determined to avoid alcohol sweeteners and harmful ingredients, and after testing dozens of bulking agent combinations, we discovered that the healthiest option was also the best. As I mentioned earlier, both inulin and tapioca fiber are soluble fibers that act as prebiotics. They are also keto-friendly, all-natural, non-GMO, and excellent sources of fiber. In fact, manufacturers using our Sugar-Free Pectin Gummy Base can make the following fiber claims on their finished products:

• "Good Source of Fiber" Nutrient Claim at a serving size of 4.5g

• "Excellent Source of Fiber" Nutrient Claim at a serving size of 8.0g

The Melt-to-Make™ Commitment

At Melt-to-Make™, our commitment to innovation in the growing edible market drives us to create products that are functional and align with the growing demand for healthier options. The development of our all-natural Sugar-Free Pectin Gummy Base exemplifies this dedication. Whether you’re a manufacturer looking to meet the demand for healthier, sugar-free edibles, or you’re aiming to offer functional gummies with proven benefits, Melt-to-Make™ is here to support your journey. With our Sugar-Free Pectin Gummy Base, you can confidently deliver products that are both healthy and delicious, allowing you to maintain the highest standards for your gummy brand.