Oobli, a food tech innovator, has received a “no questions” letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), confirming that its protein-based sweetener, monellin, is GRAS, or generally recognized as safe, in food and beverages, following clearance earlier this year for the company's other sweet protein, brazzein, from the FDA. The proteins are produced using precision fermentation, making them revolutionary options to existing sugars and artificial sweeteners.
Oobli Receives FDA "No Questions" Letter for Protein-Based Sweetener Monellin
Oobli, a food tech innovator, has received a “no questions” letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), confirming that its protein-based sweetener, monellin, is GRAS, or generally recognized as safe, in food and beverages, following clearance earlier this year for the company’s other sweet protein, brazzein, from the FDA. The proteins are produced using precision fermentation, making them revolutionary options to existing sugars and artificial sweeteners.
Oobli’s Sweet Protein Platform: A Versatile Sugar Replacement Solution
Oobli’s platform has several sweet proteins that can be seamlessly integrated into a wide range of sweet foods and drinks. These protein-based sweeteners allow food companies to offer naturally derived, health-forward options to replace over 70% of sugar in sodas, baked goods, candies, and more. Better still, they can be used alongside, or in place of, existing natural sweeteners to give food companies another option to reduce sugar yet keep the same taste or texture.
Jason Ryder, founder and CTO of Oobli, elaborates,
“Having a portfolio of sweet proteins makes food manufacturers all over the world capable of responding to sugar reduction while protecting the integrity of flavor,”. “Food systems are complicated, and reducing sweetness means more than just changing the ingredient. That’s why we have developed sweet proteins as a platform to offer multiple solutions for multiple uses.” [1]
Collaborations with Industry Leaders and Product Pipeline Expansion
Oobli works with food companies around the world, like Grupo Bimbo, who is one of the largest consumer packaged goods companies in the world. This partnership is expected to bring many new products, with Oobli’s sweet proteins, in 2025. These collaborations affirm the commercial viability of plant-based sweet proteins as a leading solution in food formulation & innovation for sugar reduction.
Strategic Board Additions Strengthen Scientific and Market Expertise
Oobli has made notable increases to its governance by adding two noted board members:
Geoffrey Duyk, MD, PhD: A proven life sciences executive who has held various leadership positions at Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Exelixis, with extensive experience in research commercialization and innovation in biotech.
Heather Malenshek: A veteran marketing leader with over 30 years of experience in building brands, recognized by Forbes as a top global chief marketing officer across food, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods.
Ali Wing, CEO of Oobli, said,
“Geoff and Heather’s skill sets and experiences will drive and accelerate the development of our protein platform, and they will help reshape the understanding and delivery of sweetness in global food systems.”
In addition to having several clinical researchers in its scientific advisory board, like Chris Damman, MD and Francine Kaufman, MD, who spearhead clinical studies on the gut microbiome, blood sugar, and insulin response—key areas informing nutritional product development. [2]
Table 1: Oobli Sweet Proteins briefly
Sweet Protein | Source/Origin | Sweetness Relative to Sugar | FDA GRAS Status | Typical Applications |
Monellin | Serendipity berry | 2,000-5,000x sweeter | No Questions | Beverages, baked goods |
Brazzein-53 | Oubli fruit | 360x sweeter | No Questions | Non-dairy yogurt, confections |
Brazzein-54 | Oubli fruit (major isoform) | 280x sweeter | No Questions | Sodas, energy bars |
Market Impact and Consumer Trends
As consumers become more health-focused and aware of sugar, demand for reduced sugar products is increasing globally. A recent survey indicated that over 80% of consumers are looking to limit the sugar in their diets. Oobli’s sweet proteins offer an answer to health-conscious consumers who want to replace sugar with something that is derived from nature, has a gut-friendly profile, and does not affect blood glucose measurement, or insulin levels. This is very appealing to health-focused consumers and companies who are attempting to reformulate products without compromising on taste or mouthfeel. [3]
Innovation Through Precision Fermentation
Oobli uses advanced precision fermentation technology, meaning that sweet proteins are produced in a controlled environment from genetically engineered microorganisms. This biotechnological method enables consistent supply of rare, sweet proteins present in minimal quantities in nature—pushing the frontier in food product development aimed at healthier sweetness. [4]
Outlook for the Future of Sweet Proteins
Oobli has been granted FDA clearances for multiple sweet proteins, establishing important regulatory precedents to promote future consumer acceptance across a range of food and beverage categories. In conjunction with strong strategic partnerships and an established body of scientific evidence, Oobli is well-positioned to lead the continued development of sweetness technology. The momentum driven by new commercial launches expected in 2025 strongly supports the sweet protein’s commercial viability, as well as the requirement of the category for sugar reduction on a global basis. [5]
Conclusion
Oobli is pioneering the transformation of sweetness with its suite of plant-based protein-based sweeteners. The recent FDA “no questions” letters for monellin and other proteins indicate that these materials have received regulatory acceptance and demonstrate the viability for mass appeal amongst food and beverage categories. With an exceptional scientific advisory and marketing team, Oobli’s sweet proteins can aid companies in developing better-for-you products and provide greater flexibility for meeting consumer demands for records sweetness without sacrificing flavor or quality. As these proteins gain traction, Oobli’s suite of products is set to change the way sweetness can be delivered across the globe.
Food Research Lab plays an essential role in this ecosystem by offering expert food formulation and development, rigorous testing, scientific analysis, and pilot-scale innovation services, enabling sweet protein ingredients to meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and functionality. Together, these innovations are set to reshape sweetness delivery globally.
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