S. Korean firms, foodies bet on sugar substitute allulose

South Korea has become a top testing ground for the sweetener allulose, a potential rival to sugar substitutes like stevia that is finding favour among both local food influencers and big domestic food companies, which are ramping up production.

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Found naturally in figs, kiwis and other fruits, allulose has been approved by both US and South Korean regulators.

It can be found in candies and protein bars in the US but commercialised sweetener products of allulose are mostly sold online or at selected grocery stores.

But in South Korea, it is easily available in supermarkets for less than 10,000 won (S$9.60) per 700ml bottle.

That is still pricey at about four times the cost of table sugar, but manufacturers and researchers say it is 70 per cent as sweet as sugar and almost calorie-free.

But even as top South Korean food and beverage companies Daesang and Samyang invest in new production facilities, health experts warn that more research is needed into the long-term health effects of allulose.