Erythritol at Lakanto

Why erythritol? 

You may have noticed the “with erythritol” label on some of our products. A lot of people are curious as to why we use this natural sweetener if we’re already using monk fruit. To answer that, we need to talk about monk fruit first. Monk fruit extract is incredibly sweet, with 300 times the sweetness of sugar, all with zero carbs. Sweet! 

The problem is, that makes replacing sugar a lot more difficult than most of us have time for. If you just replace sugar with pure monk fruit extract, none of those classic recipes would work, as the ratios are so out of whack. Erythritol on the other hand, is only about 60%-80% as sweet as sugar. When precisely bonded with monk fruit extract, we’re able to closely match the flavor and portion profile of sugar. Now THAT’S sweet!

What’s erythritol? 

Grapes and melons, wine and cheese, bread and mushrooms...sure, they’re tasty pairings, but what else do they all have in common? They’re natural sources of erythritol. It’s a sugar alcohol found in a lot of fruits and vegetables, with zero calories. That makes it a naturally, deliciously perfect pairing with the ultra-sweet monk fruit. 

Erythritol has been commercially produced for over 30 years as a natural alternative to sugar, but it wasn’t until Lakanto introduced the pairing with monk fruit that Monkfruit Sweetener became a true replacement. While there are many sources of the sweetener, we create ours from the fermentation of glucose and yeast. The bonding process with monk fruit occurs after fermentation occurs.  

Erythritol at a Glance

How safe is erythritol? 

Because of the unique name, it’s easy to see the word “erythritol” and conjure thoughts of an artificial substance created in a lab. But as you now know, that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s a bit like calling water “dihydrogen monoxide.” Sounds intimidating, but it’s just water!  

At Lakanto, we pay close attention to any studies released about all our ingredients - in addition to conducting our own research - to make sure that we offer the best possible products. If only the giant sugar companies could say the same thing, huh? And while a report of skepticism on the food’s safety did come up in recent years, it was largely dismissed³ by experts. We are supporters of our customers’ overall health and well-being. We advise you to advocate for your own health and to talk to your doctor and or health care practitioner about your dietary choices.

In the 40 years since it became a popular sweetener, erythritol has been safely used across the globe. Both the FDA, European Scientific Committee on Food, and World Health Organization have all certified the product’s safety.⁴  

Lakanto itself was born in an effort to help people live healthier, happier lives by providing a premium sugar replacement. Since our introduction into the U.S. in 2014, we’ve developed a passionate following of Lakanto lovers who have seen marked improvements in their lifestyle goals. We hold ourselves to the highest standards, constantly re-evaluating and improving products based on the needs of our fans. And the natural erythritol has shown time and time again to safely deliver the goods.