A new manufacturing facility has officially opened its doors in Charlottesville, Virginia, dedicated to the production of tagatose, a sweet plant-based material with numerous health benefits.
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The facility, owned and operated by Bonumose, will produce high-quality tagatose for use in a wide range of food and beverage products.
Tagatose is 90% as sweet as table sugar, but with 62% fewer calories than regular sugar, with no bitter aftertaste.
It is also ultra-low on the glycemic index, making it a suitable sweetener for people with diabetes or anyone watching their health.
Tagatose also has prebiotic properties, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Tagatose has been certified as non-GMO, ketogenic, and kosher, making it a welcome ingredient in many diets.
Using enzymes and a plant-based starch, alongside a proprietary process, Bonumose is able to reduce the cost of this sugar alternative, making it affordable for the global mass market.
The new 50,000-square-foot facility, located at 1500 State Farm Blvd, uses standard equipment coupled with a patented enzymatic conversion process to ensure the highest quality and consistency of tagatose production.
An equity investment co-led by sweetener company ASR Group and The Hershey Company supported the facility, as did a loan from X-Caliber Rural Capital. So far, Bonumose has brought more than 30 jobs to the Charlottesville community.
Bonumose plans to expand production in the near future. In addition to tagatose, the Virginia facility can produce other ingredients that are in Bonumose's development pipeline.
Major food and beverage brands are evaluating tagatose for their products to respond to consumer demand for reducing sugars without sacrificing taste or texture. ■
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