The effect of process on fructooligosaccharide degradation in stewed apple-banana and three apple dessert was studied. 1-Kestose was analysed using an accurate analytical method for carbohydrate determination (high-performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection, HPAEC-PAD). It appears that the content of 1-kestose in raw material was much higher than in the finished product. Furthermore, a banana puree incubated for 30 min over a temperature range (80-110 degreesC), supposed to favour degradation, appeared stable. This indicate that its the formulation rather than cooking or pasteurization which is responsible for the fructooligosaccharide loss. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.