Creative Food Labs

Creative Food Labs is a Mexico-based company operating in the food technology sector, focused on developing sustainable alternatives to sugar and trans fats. The company was formally established in 2021 by Javier Larragoiti and Lorena, later joined by Isabella, a food engineer. Larragoiti's personal experience with his father's diabetes diagnosis motivated his search for healthier sweeteners, leading him to xylitol.

The company's core business revolves around a proprietary biotechnological process that converts agricultural waste, such as corn cobs, into high-value ingredients. This is achieved through a fermentative method using a non-genetically modified yeast strain, a process that operates at ambient temperature and pressure, which reduces energy costs compared to traditional chemical methods. The primary product is xylitol, a sugar substitute that mirrors the taste of sugar, is suitable for diabetics, has fewer calories, and helps prevent cavities. Beyond xylitol, their product roadmap includes the development of trans fat alternatives.

Creative Food Labs employs a circular economy business model. It sources agricultural waste from farming communities in Mexico, providing them with an additional revenue stream and reducing the environmental pollution caused by incinerating this waste. The company's revenue is generated through both business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) channels. Initially, they imported and sold xylitol under the brand name Xilinat through digital platforms. They have since expanded into B2B sales and have secured placement in supermarkets like HEB. The company achieved Certified B Corporation status in July 2023.

Keywords: food technology, xylitol, sugar substitute, agricultural waste, biotechnology, circular economy, fermentation, sustainable ingredients, B2B food ingredients, CPG