Melt-to-Make Launches Prebiotic Fiber Pectin Base as Gut-Health Demand Increases

Melt-to-Make, a Northampton, Massachusetts-based supplier of commercial gummy manufacturing bases, has introduced a patent-pending Prebiotic Fiber Pectin Base aimed at food, supplement, cannabis-edible, and other functional-edible manufacturers looking to enter the gut-health category.¹ The company announced the launch on July 13, 2026, positioning the new formulation as a naturally sugar-free system designed to combine wellness positioning with the production consistency manufacturers need at commercial scale.

What Are the Launch Details for the New Base?

The proprietary blend combines FOS (short-chain fructans), tapioca fiber, and inulin. According to Melt-to-Make, the formulation is engineered to support microbiome health while preserving a clean flavor profile, avoiding stevia, sugar alcohols, and high-intensity sweeteners. The company states that the result is a lighter, clearer gummy with reliable setting and stability characteristics suited to large-batch production runs.

The base is also designed to help brands meet specific labeling thresholds: manufacturers can pursue "Sugar-Free" claims at serving sizes of 16 grams or less, along with "Good Source of Fiber" and "Excellent Source of Fiber" claims at qualifying serving levels. The product is manufactured in an FDA-registered facility and is offered in vegan, non-GMO formulations across Watermelon, Blueberry, Pineapple, Mango, and Unflavored varieties. Melt-to-Make says bulk tote packaging of the unflavored base will become available in 2027 for large-scale manufacturers and multi-state operators.

Sarah McLaughlin, MS, RD, co-founder of Melt-to-Make, said the formulation reflects a broader shift in consumer expectations. "The evolution of this formula reflects where consumer preferences are headed," said McLaughlin. “Manufacturers need reliable solutions that reduce trial and error, improve consistency, and help bring products to market faster with predictable outcomes.”

Who Is Melt-to-Make?

Founded in 2018 in Northampton, Massachusetts, by McLaughlin, Jake Goodyear, and Tim Van Epps, Melt-to-Make specializes in gelatin and pectin gummy bases that arrive roughly 90% complete, allowing manufacturers to streamline large-batch production. The company serves more than 1,000 B2B customers across the U.S. and 15 countries, and supports clients with training, equipment guidance, and custom formulation services.

Why Is Fiber Intake Becoming a Category Driver?

Melt-to-Make cited research published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicating that only about 5% of Americans meet recommended dietary fiber intake, and it is framing that gap as a driver of demand for fiber-forward, gut-health-oriented products.² That figure is consistent with findings summarized by NIH's research news division: in 2022 the NIH noted that “as little as 5% of the U.S. population consumes the recommended level of fiber,” even though high-fiber diets have been linked to better metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes.

The agency also provides context for how fiber ingredients function once inside the body. The NIH highlights how dietary fiber falls into two broad categories: soluble fibers, which mix with water, slow down digestion, and are associated with reduced heart disease risk, lower cholesterol, and improved blood sugar control; and insoluble fibers, which add bulk that helps move food and waste through the gut. The health effects of soluble fibers in particular depend partly on how they interact with the gut microbiome.

What Does Retail Data Show About Fiber's Momentum?

The Vitamin Shoppe's 2026 Health & Wellness Trend Report identifies fiber as one of five defining wellness trends of the year, citing a viral "fibermaxxing" trend, rising awareness of the gut microbiome, and interest in weight management tied to GLP-1 medications as key drivers.³ The report also notes that fiber gummies are gaining traction as a format for consumers who dislike traditional powders.

References

1. Melt-to-Make. Melt-to-Make launches patent-pending prebiotic fiber pectin base to support growing demand for clean-label, gut-health gummies. July 13, 2026. Accessed July 22, 2026. Press release provided via email.
2. Gearhart-Serna L. Health benefits of dietary fibers vary. NIH Research Matters. May 24, 2022. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/health-benefits-dietary-fibers-vary
3. The Vitamin Shoppe. 2026 Health & Wellness Trend Report. June 2026. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://press.vitaminshoppe.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/The-Vitamin-Shoppe-Health-Wellness-Trend-Report-2026.pdf