Functional fiber blends by Icon Foods will be showcased at Expo West 2025

Image courtesy of Icon Foods

In a March 4, 2025, press release, ingredient supplier Icon Foods announced it would showcase its functional fiber blends at Natural Products Expo West, taking place in Anaheim, California from March 5-7, 2025. FibRefine 3.0 (soluble tapioca fiber, chicory root inulin, polydextrose) is currently available, and Organic FibRefine 3.5 (organic soluble tapioca fiber, organic agave inulin, organic gum acacia) is expected to be available this spring. Icon Foods will be at booth #1053 at the Expo.

“Consumer demand for high-fiber, low-sugar and reduced-calorie food and beverages is accelerating,” said Kash Rocheleau, CEO of Icon Foods, in the press release. “Icon’s FibRefine blends provide an efficient solution that boosts fiber content while improving texture, mouthfeel and overall functionality. These innovative blends empower manufacturers to more effectively address shifting consumer demands. To our knowledge, no other fiber blends of this nature are available at scale.”

Both FibRefine 3.0 and Organic FibRefine 3.5 use a trio of fibers that metabolize and ferment at different rates, allowing manufactures the addition of up to 15 g per serving without risking gastrointestinal distress for consumers, which can be triggered by single-fiber formulations. Additionally, these fiber blends are roughly 30% as sweet as sugar and can complement natural sweeteners. Fat emulation and moisture retention are also highlights of the proprietary blends.

“The beauty of FibRefine 3.0 and Organic FibRefine 3.5 lies in their versatility and functionality,” said Thom King, chief innovations officer at Icon Foods. “By harnessing the distinct advantages of each fiber, these synergistic blends elevate food and beverage formulations while optimizing overall product performance. This is due to the varied rate of metabolization coupled with the pathway each compound is metabolized by the microbiota, allowing for maximum fiber content without digestive discomfort. These blends provide an extremely functional, scalable solution for formulators looking to create high-fiber, low-sugar products.”

The formulations can be used in applications including beverages, baked goods, snack bars, dairy substitutes, frozen desserts, and sauces. For example, FibRefine 3.0 and Organic FibRefine 3.5 can add up to 15g fiber per serving in protein shakes, up to 13g fiber per serving in snack bars, and up to 10g fiber per serving in prebiotic sodas.

“Whether you're adding fiber for gut health, improving texture in reduced-sugar products, or managing calories and carbohydrates, FibRefine blends deliver on all fronts,” Rocheleau added. “These pre-mixed blends not only close the dietary fiber gap, but also enhance texture and versatility, simplifying the formulation process by eliminating the need to source and measure multiple fibers. As consumers increasingly prioritize sugar reduction and fiber intake, FibRefine blends offer a simple, scalable solution to support gut health and meet the demand for high-fiber, low-sugar food and beverages.”