Stevia compositions are prepared from steviol glycosides of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. The compositions are able to provide a superior taste profile and can be used as sweetness enhancers, flavor enhancers and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Disclosed are hard isomalt compositions and hard isomalt confectionery products having enhanced shelf stability. Further disclosed herein is a packaged plurality of unwrapped hard candy product comprising a container and a plurality of unwrapped hard candy product units. The unwrapped hard candy product units comprise a hydrophobic lubricant, a polyol having an equilibrium relative humidity less than 50%, wherein the unwrapped hard candy product units have non-cohesive surface tack, an accelerated shelf life of greater than five weeks, and a microcrystalline outer layer disposed around an amorphous center. Weight percent is based on the total weight of the hard candy product units. Also described is a method of making the packaged plurality of unwrapped hard candy product units.

The present application relates to a Lactobacillus paracasei or progeny thereof. Specifically, the present application relates to Lactobacillus paracasei 207-27 and a composition, culture, food product or dietary supplement containing the same. The present application also relates to the use of Lactobacillus paracasei 207-27 and the composition, culture, food product or dietary supplement containing the same in medicine.

Kombucha tea faces many challenges concerning its use for its health benefits, such as standardization, as well as the determination of a specific dosage form appropriate to the intended use. Kombucha tea, as a fermented, alcohol-containing beverage that relies on a complex combination of living yeast and bacteria for production, is especially difficult to administer. The present invention provides a consistent, standardized dosage form and novel combinations of a traditional medicinal drink that is otherwise unsuitable for widespread natural medicine. By providing kombucha as a soft, chewable and orally dissolvable and/or disintegrable compositions, such as a gummie, a gummie with probiotics, or a gummy made from tapioca syrup, a unique, desirable flavor and mouthfeel is obtained and which is also alcohol free. This expands the number of people who can enjoy the benefits of the traditional tea.

The present invention provides a method for producing a seamless centre filled gummy; wherein the filling comprises at least one active ingredient; the method comprising the steps of: 1) preparing a gelatinous shell composition by a first gelatine product in water to form a first gelatine solution; 2) preparing a filling composition, wherein the filling composition comprises at least one bulking agent and one or more active ingredients dissolved or suspended in said filling composition; 3) depositing the gelatinous shell composition and the filling composition within the same timeframe; 4) setting the deposited gelatinous shell composition; wherein the temperature T.sub.inner of the filling composition upon deposition is at most 45° C., and wherein the viscosity of the filling composition upon deposition ranges between 500 and 30000 mPa.Math.s. The invention further provides seamless centre filled gummy comprising an active ingredient, which may be produced by the inventive method.

Methods of preparing steviol glycosides, including Rebaudioside D, Rebaudioside E, Rebaudioside M, Rebaudioside N and Rebaudioside O are provided herein. Sweetener and sweetened consumables containing Rebaudioside D, Rebaudioside E, Rebaudioside M, Rebaudioside N and Rebaudioside O are also provided herein.

Methods of preparing steviol glycosides, including Rebaudioside D, Rebaudioside E, Rebaudioside M, Rebaudioside N and Rebaudioside O are provided herein. Sweetener and sweetened consumables containing Rebaudioside D, Rebaudioside E, Rebaudioside M, Rebaudioside N and Rebaudioside O are also provided herein.

The present invention relates to a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria characterized in that it is capable of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans, wherein the specific binding is (i) resistant to heat treatment; and/or (ii) resistant to protease treatment; and/or (iii) calcium-dependent; and/or (iv) formed within a pH range between 4.5 and 8.5; and/or (v) formed in the presence of saliva. Preferably, the specific binding can be assayed as follows: (a) growing said microorganism to stationary phase; (b) mixing said microorganism with Streptococcus mutans which has been grown to stationary phase; (c) incubating the mixture obtained in step (b) under conditions allowing the formation of aggregates of said microorganism and Streptococcus mutans and (d) detecting aggregates by the occurrence of a pellet. Another aspect of the present invention is an analog or fragment of said microorganism which is thermally inactivated or lyophilized, wherein said analog or fragment retains the capability of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans. In addition, the present invention encompasses compositions and additives for food, feed or drinks comprising the microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria which specifically bind to Streptococcus mutans or an analog or fragment thereof. Moreover, uses of said microorganism or said analog or fragment thereof for the preparation of an anticariogenic or pharmaceutical composition or anticariogenic food or feedstuff as well as methods for producing said compositions or food or feedstuff are provided by the present invention.

An enzymatically produced soluble α-glucan fiber composition is provided suitable for use as a digestion resistant fiber in food and feed applications. The soluble α-glucan fiber composition can be blended with one or more additional food ingredients to produce fiber-containing compositions. Methods for the production and use of compositions comprising the soluble α-glucan fiber are also provided.

An enzymatically produced soluble α-glucan fiber composition is provided suitable for use as a digestion resistant fiber in food and feed applications. The soluble α-glucan fiber composition can be blended with one or more additional food ingredients to produce fiber-containing compositions. Methods for the production and use of compositions comprising the soluble α-glucan fiber are also provided.