Smarter Sweetness, Real Functionality
Consumers are redefining what sweetness means. They want products that are naturally sweet, nutritionally beneficial, and made with simple, recognizable ingredients. For formulators, this creates a challenge: how to deliver indulgent taste and texture while meeting the growing demand for clean labels and reduced sugar.
At Galam, we believe sweetness can be smart. Our GOFOS™ short-chain fructooligosaccharides (sc-FOS) provide sweetness, fiber, and prebiotic benefits in a single ingredient that helps create functional, consumer-friendly formulations.
Sweetness That Works
Unlike most dietary fibers, GOFOS™ provides a natural mild sweetness of about 30 percent compared to sugar, making it a valuable solution for partial sugar replacement without compromising taste or mouthfeel.
Its versatility allows it to perform effectively in a wide range of applications including:
- Dairy and yogurt drinks – enabling sugar reduction while maintaining creamy texture.
- Bakery and bars – providing mild sweetness, fiber enrichment, and improved binding without Maillard browning.
- Confectionery and gummies – balancing sweetness with fiber enrichment and prebiotic value.
- Chocolate and spreads – masking aftertaste from high-intensity sweeteners such as stevia or maltitol.
GOFOS™ enhances flavor harmony and texture even when used in formulations that rely on intense sweeteners, creating products that closely resemble their full-sugar counterparts
The Science Behind the Sweetness
GOFOS™ is a short-chain prebiotic fiber produced enzymatically from sucrose. With a degree of polymerization (DP) of 3 to 5, it is rapidly fermented by beneficial gut bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. This supports a healthy intestinal microbiome and contributes to digestive and immune well-being
Scientific studies demonstrate that as little as 2.5 grams per day is enough to generate a measurable prebiotic effect, a significantly lower threshold compared to longer-chain fibers such as inulin. During fermentation, GOFOS™ produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) including acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which help maintain gut barrier integrity, regulate metabolism, and support immune health.
With a glycemic index close to zero, GOFOS™ minimizes blood sugar spikes and supports balanced energy. This makes it suitable for diabetic-friendly and low-GI formulations.
Application Spotlight: Strawberry Yogurt Drink with GOFOS™
A recent Galam formulation illustrates the benefits of GOFOS™ in practice.
The Strawberry Yogurt Drink with GOFOS™ combines sugar reduction, flavor enhancement, and fiber enrichment. The result is a product that offers:
- 4.8 g of dietary fiber per 100 g
- 85 kcal per serving
- A smooth, creamy texture and authentic flavor
Even with reduced sugar, the yogurt drink maintains indulgence and sensory appeal, demonstrating how GOFOS™ transforms traditional dairy products into functional foods that align with today’s nutritional expectations.
Why Formulaters Choose GOFOS™
- Versatile functionality – stable in heat, acid, and a wide pH range.
- Global regulatory recognition – GRAS-certified, non-GMO, allergen-free, and compliant with FDA and EFSA dietary fiber definitions.
- Label appeal – supports claims such as “source of fiber,” “fiber enriched,” “sugar reduced,” or “no added sugar.”
- Synergistic properties – complements inulin and intense sweeteners to optimize both flavor and texture.
The Future of Sweetness
The future of food is functional. As consumers seek better balance between indulgence and nutrition, GOFOS™ provides the link between science and sensory experience. It allows formulators to create products that are better for people’s health while maintaining the pleasure of taste and texture.
Sweetness today is not only about sugar content. It is about smarter formulations, improved functionality, and meaningful health benefits — all made possible with GOFOS™.