WESTCHESTER, ILL. — Ingredion, Inc. will become the exclusive global distributor of SweeGen, Inc.’s nature-based stevia sweeteners in all markets except China under an agreement reached by the two companies, Westchester-based Ingredion said Dec. 1.
A fermentation process used to develop its stevia-based sweeteners ensures sustained availability and a commercially feasible pricing structure for use in foods and beverages, according to SweeGen, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
 |
| Anthony DeLio, chief innovation officer for Ingredion |
“SweeGen’s nature-based products, made from stevia leaf extract, represent the next generation of stevia sweeteners,” said Anthony DeLio, chief innovation officer for Ingredion. “Along with our current sweetener offerings, these great-tasting sweeteners give us even more options to help our customers develop on-trend products that meet consumer demands for healthier foods and beverages with less sugar. We look forward to working with SweeGen to bring what we believe are the best-tasting stevia sweeteners to customers all over the world.”
Ingredion already includes Enliten brand stevia-based sweeteners in its ingredient portfolio. Ingredion will be a non-exclusive distributor of SweeGen sweeteners in China. Ingredion will start distributing SweeGen sweeteners in February, initially in the United States and subsequently in other countries as additional regulatory approvals are granted.
SweeGen said its sweeteners meet regulatory compliance for the European Union and U.S. markets. SweeGen has produced Reb M 95%, Reb D 95% and nine other steviol glycosides with its patent-pending process. The fermentation process does not change the natural molecule of the steviol glycoside, according to the company.
“The majority of these compounds have already been found in nature, but interestingly, we were also able to produce unique stevia sweeteners that have not been reported before,” SweeGen said. “We believe these sweeteners may have unique sensory applications in flavors and/or in food products as sweetness modulators. We continue to investigate the capabilities of our technology in the development of stevia alternative sweeteners.”
SweeGen uses only non-bioengineered/non-G.M.O. ingredients.
“We are excited about the prospects of our promising and expansive partnership with Ingredion,” said Steven Chen, chief executive officer of SweeGen. “Their strong go-to-market expertise and customer base complement our demand-driven R.&D. and manufacturing capabilities.”
