Austria Juice Rolls Out 30% Reduced Sugar Juice

Austria Juice has unveiled its fermentation technology, which can help reduce the sugars present in 100% fruit juice. The natural process can lower sugar and calories by at least 30% while keeping juice flavorful. Austria Juice is introducing an apple juice concentrate as its flagship reduced sugar product at PLMA in Amsterdam this month.

The patent-pending technology keeps each juice’s authentic fruit identity and essential properties, allowing beverage companies to label the product as “reduced sugar fruit juice from concentrate.”

“We at Austria Juice identified a gap between the. Desire for 100% fruit juice and the need to reduce sugar consumption,” said Kai Oliver Antonius, vice president. “Mindful consumers want the nutritional benefits of pure juice, but without the sugar load. They also prefer not to compromise on taste or to sip artificial sweeteners. Meanwhile, we enable our clients to keep their labels clean.”

The fermentation technology used by the company converts sugar, before processing aids are removed and the product is blended with fruit juice concentrate to achieve the desired sugar content.

The juice produced contains at least 30% less sugar and a minimum of 30% fewer calories, in line with the EU’s “Breakfast Directive” goals, which call for clear guidelines and easy identification of juices with reduced sugar content. “Given these EU market disruptions, we help CPG brands transform regulatory change into product opportunity,” said Cornelia Kerschbaumer, director of marketing and communication. “These better-for-you reduced sugar options are 100% natural fruit juice for breakfast or on-the-go products.”

 The process was chosen because it is quick, streamlined, and precise. The method prevents off-flavors and secondary notes and ensures the final product contains no undesirable alcoholic or fermented aromas.

“Our reduced sugar products are market-ready, just add your brand and sell, or dilute for ready-to-drink goodness,” said Severin Guski, business development manager. “We are set to serve key players seeking plug-and-play solutions to reduce sugars in beverages made from 100% fruit juice. Our ready-to-use assortment features three juice concentrates: apple, orange, and multifruit.”

“Our first reduced sugar product combines two key Austria Juice strengths: the technology is based on Austria Juice’s know-how in wine fermentation and our strong position in juice concentrates worldwide,” Antonius added. “We also draw on our leadership in FTNF (from the named fruit) solutions, spanning technology, application development, and production. This integrated expertise gives us an advantage in designing sugar reduction tech powered by fermentation, as well as our ability to maintain fresh fruity flavor in the juice.”