RU

Sugar-free revolution: EFKO at “Gastro.Yug”

21.07.2025
Sugar-free revolution: EFKO at “Gastro.Yug”
Previous
Sugar-free revolution: EFKO at “Gastro.Yug”
Next
Foodtech: career at “EFKO”

Foodtech: career at “EFKO”12.08.2025

Dairy week: “EFKO” in Uglich

Dairy week: “EFKO” in Uglich26.06.2025

Gastrophysics, innovations, psychology of tastes. Participants of the art school “Gastro.Yug” carried out a tasting of ice cream with sweet protein – a product that is not from the distant future, but from the present time. Young scientists, bioengineers, technologists and experts of the school discussed a new alternative to sugar.

 

“Gastro.Yug” is a unique platform within the art cluster “Tavrida”. The project is implemented with the support of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs and annually unites senior students, scientists and researchers in Crimea. This year the school is dedicated to innovations in food production and new approaches to familiar tastes. In the spotlight of the project there is a person and his/her health.

 

These days it is no longer enough to replace sugar with conventional sugar substitutes. Generations Z and “Alpha” are waiting for scientifically proven alternatives. These generations grew up in a digital environment, with access to knowledge and a high level of critical thinking. These people are focused on conscious consumption and are open to technological innovations in food.

 

Almost 1 billion people in the world suffers from obesity and more than 500 million – from diabetes. Sweet protein is one of those products that can be a solution to this problem. These substances are present in some fruit of the equatorial zone. However, their extraction is ineffective, so “EFKO” specialists have studied the production technology of sweet protein using biotechnology and have developed recipes for sugar-free products such as candies, chocolate and ice cream.  

 

“Products that contain sweet protein give a feeling of sweetness, but at the same time do not increase blood sugar level,” said Evgeniya Potekina, a technologist at “EFKO” Group. “It means that we do not have to suffer from the consumption of a large amount of sugar.”

 

The world's first clinical research study of the sweet protein “brazzein” was completed in 2024. The results indicate its application safety in the food industry and its positive effect on the body with long-term consumption. It does not increase blood glucose levels and does not contribute to fat accumulation.

 

The sweet protein ice cream, which combines technological innovation, safety and taste identity, got a live audience feedback during the tasting:

 

“I really liked that it wasn't too sweet. It also has a decent level of the texture and aroma quality!”

“I would definitely buy this ice cream. It's sweet, but not too much.”

“If you don't say it's sugar-free, no one will notice.”

 

In other countries there is a kind of interest in the sweet protein food production as well. We have already received a certificate for production and sale of sweet proteins in the Gulf States. This is not surprising, for example, in the UAE, diabetes is diagnosed in 20% of the population. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain report a significant increase in the number of people suffering from this disease.

 

“For Oil & Fat Division of “EFKO” participation in “Gastro.Yug” is an investment in a dialogue with the new generation,” said Alena Surkova, Director of Confectionery Department. “Here you can not only show the product, but also get instant feedback. Such sites as “Tavrida”, for example, create a favorable environment for experiments and new solutions. The company is building not just production facilities, but also an ecosystem of innovations, the focus of which is the people’s well-being."

Attach a file (pdf, doc or jpeg only)

* - Required fields.

for

Previously published reports:

section-image
section-image

section-image
section-image

section-image
section-image

Dear partners!

In order to improve EFKO products and quality of service, as well as to better meet your needs, we ask you to answer a few questions.

In the Alekseevskaya Sloboda of the Belgorod province, where in the late 1820s, sunflower oil was produced for the first time in the Russian Empire, and the first oil mill in Russia was built.

During the years of the First World War, and then the Civil War, production was completely stopped. The restoration of the plant began only in 1923. The main focus of its work remained the processing of coriander and anise. In 1936, the second oil extraction plant in all of Russia was built in Alekseevka. Later, both enterprises were merged into one of the largest essential oil extraction complexes in the Soviet Union.

During the Great Patriotic War, the complex was almost destroyed. Restoration work, which began in 1943, continued until the end of 1948. In the post-war period, comprehensive reconstruction was carried out on many sections using the latest technological advancements. By the 1970s, the Alekseevsky essential oil extraction complex produced up to 80% of the world's coriander oil. For its achievements in production development, the development and implementation of advanced technology, by decree of August 14, 1972, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR awarded the plant the Order of the Badge of Honor.

Unfortunately, in the 1990s, the enterprise that brought fame and wealth to the people of Alekseevka fell into decline and practically collapsed. The revival of the enterprise began in 1994 with the arrival of a new team and the creation of the EFCO Group.

The enterprise underwent large-scale modernization of production and established a new management system. The company decided to return to its roots and resume the production of sunflower oil. Later, EFCO expanded the range and volume of products.

In 2002, a new business direction was opened, and the most modern plant for the production of specialized fats and margarines for the food industry, EFCO Food Ingredients, was launched in the city of Alekseevka, Belgorod region. A scientific and production laboratory was established at the plant, equipped to control product quality at all stages of production and conduct in-depth scientific research.

In 2002–2003, EFCO technologists mastered the most environmentally friendly process of vegetable oil processing – the 'dry' fractionation method, applied the technology of physical refining of oils and fats, and managed to create Russia's first cocoa butter substitute 'Ecolad,', milk fat substitute 'Ecolact,', solid confectionery fat 'Ekond,', soft confectionery fat 'Ekonfe,', universal margarines 'Ecouniversal,', frying shortenings 'Ecofri,', and the first domestic fats with minimal trans-isomers content – confectionery fats 'Econat.'

In 2005, the R&D center of the fats and oils division was created based on EFCO Food Ingredients, consisting of the Applied Research Center and the Pilot Plant Department. The center’s specialists are engaged in developing and testing fat products for healthy eating lines and innovative recipes, taking into account the needs of manufacturers.

In 2006, the company was the first in Russia to successfully pass an audit for compliance with the quality and safety requirements of the BRC (Global Standard for Food Safety) and the International Food Standard (IFS).

In 2008, the second plant for the production of specialized fats and margarines was launched in the port of Taman in the Krasnodar Territory, and the only deep-water sea terminal for food cargo in Russia was built.

The following year, the plant successfully passed certification for compliance with the quality and safety requirements of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the International Food Standard (IFS). International auditors awarded the company the highest compliance level – Grade AA.

In 2014, the company’s technologists created the first domestic equivalent of cocoa butter.

In 2015, the EFCO Group launched a project to create a unique fats and oils cluster in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Thanks to production modernization and the transfer of global technologies, the production of specialized fats and margarines meeting the highest international standards was established in a short time.

In 2016, EFCO opened its fourth site for the production of specialized fats and margarines at the Evdakovsky fats and oils plant in the Voronezh region.

In 2021, production capacity at the Taman port facility was increased – launching the world's first 'million-ton plant' for the production of specialized fats and margarines.

In 2023, the company launched the only shea nut processing plant in Russia.

Thanks to R&D and significant investments by domestic producers in developing their own infrastructure, primarily by EFCO, the share of imported producers in the Russian food ingredients market has decreased from 49% to 9% over the past 15 years and continues to decline.

Almost 200 years later, Alekseevka remains the largest center for vegetable oil processing in the country.

Fill out the form and our manager will contact you!

Attach a file (pdf, doc or jpeg only)

* - Required fields.

Attention!

Fake websites pretending to represent the EFKO Group have appeared online. They are illegally using our company's name and logo. Scammers, posing as EFKO employees, are distributing fake offers and attempting to arrange fraudulent supply agreements.

What to look out for:

  • Official domains: Our only official websites are www.efko.ru, b2b.efko.ru, маргарин.рф, and art.efko.ru.
  • Official communication: Our employees will only send commercial offers using official email addresses with the domain @efko.ru. We do not distribute offers via messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.).
  • Too good to be true: Be extremely wary of excessively low prices and requests for prepayment for large batches of products, especially if you usually work on a deferred payment basis.

If you receive any suspicious emails, calls, or offers claiming to be from our company, please verify immediately by calling us at: +7 (47234) 77 100 or +7 800 250 02 20 You can also message us on Telegram to report suspicious activity.