Consumers quizzed on acacia gum
Supplier of acacia gum, Alland & Robert recently asked polling organisation Toluna to carry out a survey in the USA, UK, Japan and Germany to find out how much consumers know about acacia gum.
Acacia gum (or Arabic gum) is a natural additive and sap exudate taken from the trunk of acacia trees. The harvest, which is carried out in the Sahel countries in Africa, is also 100% natural, pesticide and GMO-free according to Alland & Robert.
71.5% of the 1,000 Americans surveyed confirmed that they read food labels before buying a product. Similarly, almost 88% said that they have a good understanding of the ingredients listed on the labels. In comparison, 53% of Japanese consumers believed that they have an understanding of products’ nutritional information.
42.7% of Americans were aware that acacia gum is a natural additive. Almost half of them (42.1%) knew that it is present in bread as well as drinks (45.9%). However, very few of them (29.1%) knew that it is also found in cosmetic products.
Acacia gum also functions as an emulsifier and a stabilising agent and is used in various applications including: confectionery, fizzy and soft drinks, bakery goods and pastries, dairy products and ice cream, health products, and snack foods.
However, only 23% of Americans realised that acacia gum is a source of fibre (39.4% wrongly think that it is a source of sugar). In the UK, over 82% did not know that it is a source of fibre. As for those interviewed in Germany, more than 90% of them were unaware of this benefit.
As a source of fibre, acacia gum has many advantages, including: acidity and heat resistance, no side effects nor intestinal problems, low in calories, and a very low glycaemic index, as well as scientifically-proven prebiotic effects.
