# R&D RADIO: The Real Science Behind Sugar Replacement with Icon Foods' Thom King

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-09-28
- Length: 31m
- Episode: 378
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-09-28-r-d-radio-the-real-science-behind-sugar-replacement-with-icon-foods-thom-king
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/3d645710

## Summary

Thom King, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Icon Foods, explains the complex science of replacing sugar in food products, emphasizing that formulators must replicate sugar's eight functional roles beyond sweetness. He details how stacking fibers (like Olipop) and sweeteners (erythritol, allulose, tagatose) mitigates gastrointestinal issues and improves mouthfeel, while discussing the supply chain volatility of monk fruit and the impact of tariffs on erythritol. King advises founders to work with professional formulators rather than scaling kitchen recipes and highlights vegetable glycerin as an underrated tool for texture and shelf-life.

## Outline

1. Introduction and Icon Foods History
2. The Eight Functions of Sugar in Formulation
3. Fiber Stacking and Viscosity in Beverages
4. Sweetener Profiles: Erythritol, Allulose, and Tagatose
5. Sweetness Modulators and Vegetable Glycerin
6. Supply Chain Timing and Tariff Impacts

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Icon Foods (company)
- Steviva Brands (company)
- Quest Nutrition (company)
- Olipop (company)
- Whole Foods (company)
- Target (company)
- Cargill (company)
- erythritol (material)
- allulose (material)
- tagatose (material)
- monk fruit (material)
- stevia (material)
- thaumatin (material)
- vegetable glycerin (material)
- inulin (material)
- chicory (material)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Advice Line with Ben Goodwin of Olipop](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-09-03-advice-line-with-ben-goodwin-of-olipop) (How I Built This)
- [Magic Spoon & Exo: Gabi Lewis and Greg Sewitz](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-02-12-magic-spoon-exo-gabi-lewis-and-greg-sewitz) (How I Built This)
- [21 - Jonathan Bybee - The Creative Director with a killer stache!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2020-05-28-21-jonathan-bybee-the-creative-director-with-a-killer-stache) (People of Packaging)
- [345 - Beyond the Dieline - The secret success behind Junebar! Tom Seymour and Keith McCullough](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-04-17-345-beyond-the-dieline-the-secret-success-behind-junebar-tom-seymour-and-keith-m) (People of Packaging)
- [244 - Jody Polishchuk from Sundays on how they made the first zero sugar creme cookie](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-02-16-244-jody-polishchuk-from-sundays-on-how-they-made-the-first-zero-sugar-creme-coo) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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