Key Takeaways

• The FDA has exempted tagatose from ‘added sugar’ labeling, following Bonumose’s campaign and legal action.
• Tagatose, a low-calorie sweetener, is gaining popularity due to its health benefits and lower production costs.
• Bonumose plans to significantly increase tagatose production to meet rising market demand.

FDA Exempts Tagatose from ‘Added Sugar’ Labeling

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially exempted tagatose, a low-calorie sweetener, from being classified as ‘added sugar’ on food labels. This decision came after a prolonged effort by Bonumose, a startup from Virginia, to change how the sweetener is represented on Nutrition Facts panels.

Tagatose has drawn interest for its potential benefits, but its classification as ‘added sugar’ was a barrier for many food manufacturers. Bonumose contended that the label restriction limited the use of tagatose, which offers nearly the same sweetness as sugar with only 38% of the calories.

Initially, in 2022, the FDA denied Bonumose’s request for exemption, even though it had previously granted a similar request for allulose, another rare sugar. Bonumose retaliated with litigation, leading to a court ruling in 2024 that criticized the FDA’s earlier decision as “arbitrary and capricious.”

In a recent letter dated November 2025, the FDA announced that it would employ enforcement discretion concerning the exclusion of D-tagatose from declarations of ‘added sugars’ and ‘total sugars’ on nutrition labels. It has also recognized tagatose’s caloric value as 1.5 calories per gram, significantly lower than the 4 calories per gram found in regular sugar. Moreover, the FDA acknowledged tagatose’s non-cariogenic properties and low glycemic index, bolstering its appeal as a healthier alternative to traditional sugars.

Bonumose’s CEO, Ed Rogers, expressed satisfaction with the FDA’s decision, noting the confusion it caused among consumers when tagatose was classified as an added sugar despite its health benefits. The FDA’s change has generated considerable market interest, and Bonumose is focused on ramping up production capacity significantly. The company began manufacturing tagatose at its Virginia demo plant in late 2022 and has since entered a partnership with Roquette to improve scalability.

Tagatose is naturally occurring in some foods but has largely been produced through a method starting with lactose, making it expensive for most manufacturers. However, Bonumose claims to have developed a patented, cost-effective production method using maltodextrin that can make tagatose a mainstream sweetener.

Jim Kappas, VP of specialty ingredients at ASR Group, highlighted that the FDA’s decision could significantly enhance tagatose’s market potential across various food and beverage categories. Tagatose’s key benefits include a low glycemic index, superior handling properties, and prebiotic effects, making it an attractive alternative to sucrose. Early studies suggest tagatose can increase beneficial gut bacteria and promote the production of healthy short-chain fatty acids like butyrate.

This favorable regulatory change marks a crucial turning point for tagatose, opening doors for broader applications in health-oriented products and increasing consumer access to lower-calorie sweeteners.

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