Stevia First Corp. Adds Stevia Industry Veteran to Advisory Board

Mr. Dong is the founder and developer of leading Chinese stevia manufacturer, Qualipride International. He has enjoyed a lengthy career in the stevia marketplace beginning in 1996 as a virtual pioneer in the sector.

18 Sep 2012 --- Stevia First Corp., an early-stage agribusiness based in California's Central Valley growing region and focused on the industrial scale production of stevia, the all-natural zero-calorie sweetener that is rapidly transforming the food and beverage industry, is pleased to announce and welcomes the addition of Mr. Reg Dong as its newest advisory board member.

Mr. Dong is the founder and developer of leading Chinese stevia manufacturer, Qualipride International. He has enjoyed a lengthy career in the stevia marketplace beginning in 1996 as a virtual pioneer in the sector. Mr. Dong brings an extensive knowledge across the business spectrum of stevia growing, processing, refining and distribution techniques. His efforts have been instrumental in the development of proprietary methodologies for both decreasing the cost of processing and refining stevia as well as significantly increasing production yields.

Qualipride is a professional manufacturer of highly purified steviol glycosides and various extracts including highly purified rebaudioside A and highly purified stevioside. With over 16 years' experience in stevia extraction and refining practice and continuous research and development, Mr. Dong's company introduced advanced technologies for industrial scale production at competitively low cost. The company operates six production facilities offering a stevia seed cultivation base for the harvest of high quality stevia seed for large scale stevia farming as well as a farming base for the harvest of stevia leaves. Total annual production capacity is currently aimed at 2,500 metric tons. The Company also operates a processing research and development institute (Zibo Inchcape Industry Inc.), for stevia extraction and refining technology innovation including facility design and engineering plus technical training for stevia production. Worldwide sales managed by Qualipride International Ltd. deliver a range of products manufactured with strict quality control practices (ISO9001), food safety ISO22000, Halal, Kosher, and EU organic certifications. The company is one of the few suppliers achieving quantity and quality in conformity with stevia quality specifications as outlined by the U.S. FDA, the EU and the FAO/ WHO JECFA (2010).

Company CEO Robert Brooke states, "The acceptance by Reg Dong to work with us in an advisory capacity is a coup for the Company. There aren't many individuals like Reg, who brings competence and demonstrated success in the stevia sector. We trust his experience and extensive industry relationships will prove invaluable as we bring the stevia industry to the United States in a significant way."