SweeGen and Ingredion bring next generation stevia sweetener to Mexico

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, California and WESTCHESTER, Illinois, Nov. 1, 2017

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, California and WESTCHESTER, Illinois, Nov. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SweeGen, a nature-based sweetener company, and Ingredion Incorporated, a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to diversified industries, announced today that the Federal Commission for Protection Against Health Risks (COFEPRIS), led by Julio Sánchez y Tepoz, has approved SweeGen's next-generation Reb M sweetener derived from the stevia leaf for use in food and beverage categories already approved for steviol glycosides.  

This follows a review of the composition and manufacturing process of SweeGen's Reb M stevia leaf sweetener, with documentation submitted to the organization earlier this year.

Reb M stevia leaf sweetener brings a clean sweetness from the stevia leaf, a great sugar-like taste and no bitter aftertaste. It can be used in a variety of applications such as beverages, dairy, bakery, table-top sweeteners, confectionary as well as nutritional food and beverages.

"We are excited to introduce our non-GMO Reb M stevia leaf sweetener to food and beverage manufacturers in Mexico," said Katharina Pueller, director, natural sweetener business of SweeGen. "Consumer demand for zero- and reduced sugar products is on the rise globally, and our Reb M stevia leaf sweetener provides a solution that helps reduce sugar without sacrificing taste."

Ingredion is SweeGen's exclusive global distributor in all markets (excluding SweeGen's house accounts and in the People's Republic of China where it is a non-exclusive distributor). This collaboration enables both companies to benefit from each other's strengths and to engage a diverse number of customers in the global food and beverage industry. Reb M was presented in Mexico by Ingredion during the Food Technology Summit 2017 in September.

"Now beverage and food manufacturers in Mexico can reduce sugar using our Reb M sweetener derived from the stevia leaf," said Oscar Gutierrez, senior global director, sweetness innovation, Ingredion. "We are excited to commercialize Reb M in Mexico, and SweeGen and Ingredion will continue our joint efforts to gain regulatory approvals in other regions."