US patent granted for salt replacer

Tate & Lyle has been granted a US patent to manufacture Soda-Lo salt microspheres, which are designed to reduce salt levels by 25% to 50% without sacrificing taste.

The newly patented technology is said to turn standard salt crystals into free-flowing crystalline microspheres. These smaller, lower-density crystals deliver salty taste by maximising surface area relative to volume. They make it possible to enjoy clean salt taste while consuming lower levels of sodium. As Soda-Lo is made from real salt, it doesn't have the bitter aftertaste or off-flavours associated with salt substitutes.

"The granting of the patent establishes Soda-Lo as an innovative salt reduction product," says Angelique Gunderson, health and wellness platform commercial lead at Tate & Lyle.

The patent is owned by Eminate, a wholly owned subsidiary of The University of Nottingham. Tate & Lyle licensed Soda-Lo on an exclusive basis from Eminate in October 2011. The product remains patent pending in other locations, including Europe.

Contact: Tate & Lyle