Taiwan FDA greenlights Sweegen’s new generation stevia ingredients

(All Image Credits: Sweegen).

31 Aug 2023 --- Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full authorization for Sweegen’s Bestevia Rebaudiosides M (Reb M), D, and E, high-purity steviol glycosides derived from the stevia plant. Sweegen notes that these new-generation stevia ingredients have a clean and sugar-like taste profile and will help brands in Taiwan meet the growing demand for sugar-reduced products.

Sweegen’s Reb M technology has several benefits for food and beverage producers, according to the business. The company uses stevia, not GMO corn or sugar beets, as the starting material for its zero-calorie sweeteners. 

It also uses a proprietary bioconversion technology to produce a range of high quality sweeteners that comply with regulations at competitive prices. 

Moreover, the company says its products have a lower environmental impact than other sweeteners.

“The approval of Bestevia Reb M in Taiwan represents a breakthrough for brands aiming to create better-for-you foods and beverages,” says Casey McCormick, VP of global innovation at Sweegen. 

“Bestevia Reb M’s opens innovative avenues for reducing and even eliminating sugar, surpassing consumer expectations and contributing to public health goals aimed at curtailing sugar intake.”

Transforming the sweetener market
Sweegen aims to transform the sweetener market with innovative solutions that offer healthier choices without compromising taste.

“Our focus revolves around safety, quality, and adherence to regulatory standards,” says Hadi Omrani, VP of technical and regulatory affairs at Sweegen.

The company has also secured the right to use its Reb M, a high-purity stevia sweetener, in all non-alcoholic beverages worldwide without violating patents.“We are expanding our global footprint by opening new markets to create access to innovative sweetener technologies.”

Seeking regulatory approvals
Sweegen explains that it has seen a surge in sales throughout 2023 as it obtains vital regulatory approvals in key markets such as the EMEA. In the UK, Sweegen became the first company to receive authorization for any steviol glycosides produced using alternative technologies in the country.

The company has also secured the right to use its Reb M, a high-purity stevia sweetener, in all non-alcoholic beverages worldwide without violating patents. 

Moreover, to meet the growing demand from global CPG companies and ensure reliable capacity and supply chain diversity, “Sweegen has been working to establish and expand production facilities in major markets, including EMEA, North America, and APAC,” the business underscores.

Sweegen has also achieved FEMA GRAS status for its sweet proteins, brazzein and thaumatin II, complementing its steviol glycosides portfolio. The company is the first to attain FEMA GRAS status and to produce brazzein commercially globally. 

Sweet proteins help food and beverage manufacturers create better-for-you products that appeal to consumers’ wellness preferences. Brazzein is the key ingredient in Sweegen’s new Sweetensify flavors for taste modulation, which can mimic the taste of sugar in various products.

Meanwhile, Food Ingredients First spoke this week with several leading producers and suppliers to better understand the growing and evolving sweetener solutions arena.

Recently, scientists warned that even slight increases in sugar consumption present cardiovascular disease risks.

Edited by Marc Cervera

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