Oobli gets FDA approval for sweet protein Monellin and expands board to boost growth

Oobli has secured US FDA Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for its sweet protein Monellin, expanding its platform of sugar alternatives for F&B applications.

“Oobli is changing the future of sweetness through the use of sweet proteins as a replacement for traditional cane sugar and other alternative sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, stevia and erythritol,” says Jason Ryder, Oobli founder and CTO, and adjunct professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California Berkeley.

“The Oubli Fruit Sweet Protein is one of several sweet proteins that is derived from fruits primarily found in West Africa and other equatorial environments. Sweet proteins are a class of proteins that deliver a sugar-like sweetness but don’t affect blood sugar, insulin or the gut microbiome.”

The recognition of the “healthier alternative” to traditional sweeteners comes after the FDA approved fruit sweet protein (brazzein) as GRAS earlier this year.

Oobli received a “no questions” letter from the FDA while claiming it is the “first company in the world to successfully build a platform of multiple sweet proteins.” The company says it seeks to provide easy and versatile solutions to sweeten F&B. 

2025 collaborations

Food companies, including Grupo Bimbo and others coming next year, are working with Oobli to incorporate sweet proteins into their product formulations. In 2025, more protein-sweetened partner products are expected.

The company adds that plant-based sweet proteins offer a cost-effective option for replacing over 70% of sugar in F&B and can also complement other natural sweeteners.

“Having additional sweet proteins on the Oobli platform will enable companies across the globe to focus on ways to reduce sugar without compromising taste. It’s like having more tools in the toolkit,” says Ryder. 

Oubli Fruit Sweet Protein is derived from fruits primarily found in West Africa.“Food is a complex system, and when we replace sweetness in a food or beverage application, all the ingredients come into play. This is why we’re so committed to approaching sweet proteins as a platform; offering more sweetener solutions to our partners.”

New board members

In addition to the GRAS approval, Oobli reveals it has added Heather Malenshek and Geoffrey Duyk MD, Ph.D., to its Board of Directors to focus on tech leadership and commercial expertise.

“Our new board members, including Duyk and Malenshek, bring an unparalleled level of expertise and knowledge that will help grow Oobli’s protein platform to bring change to our food system and how we make sweet foods,” comments Ali Wing, CEO at Oobli. 

“Our additional scientific advisory board members Chris Damman MD and Francine Kaufman MD round out Oobli’s focus on clinical research in areas including the gut microbiome, blood sugar and insulin response.”  

With alternative sugar and sugar control on consumers’ minds, Rousselot recently told us about its collagen peptide Nextida GC, which is made to help reduce post-meal sugar spikes in healthy people.

In addition, a Dutch plant-based ingredient manufacturer, Fooditive, introduced its Keto-Fructose sweetener, derived from apples and pears, to the US earlier this year.