Company: Graceland Fruit

Website: www.gracelandfruit.com

Ingredient Snapshot: Consumers concerned with their intake of sugar and artificial sweeteners now have a better option when it comes to dried cranberries. Graceland Fruit is innovating once again by introducing an improved no added sugar dried cranberry for the retail, ingredient and foodservice markets. Graceland Fruit No Added Sugar Dried Cranberries provide a good source of fiber, contain no artificial sweeteners, and have 10 percent fewer carbohydrates and calories than those in conventional products. They also contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives and are non-GMO and gluten free.

“We’ve just made a wholesome food choice even better,” states Karsten Kotte, vice president of technical services for Graceland Fruit. “Instead of sugar, the product contains 50 percent more of the natural cranberry center than conventional dried cranberries and a prebiotic fructan fiber that offers great texture. The use of prebiotic fiber helps increase the levels of beneficial bacteria in the large intestine and is scientifically proven to support digestive health.” Kotte added that consumers and food manufacturers alike will be pleasantly surprised at the flavor and texture of the new product: “Consumer testing of this product produced very favorable reactions.”

Tara Rybicki, MS, RD, CDE, Graceland Fruit’s nutrition advisor, adds, “This product supports the USDA’s recommendations on reducing the amount of added sugars in our diets. In fact, it’s really a trifecta of nutrition. You get reduced sugar, the antioxidant and phytochemical benefits of cranberries, and the benefits of the prebiotic fiber. The prebiotic fiber nourishes the intestinal tract and feeds the beneficial bacteria of the gut. Keeping those beneficial germs well fed leads to enhanced immunity and can help defend against illness. On top of all this, they taste great!”