CHICAGO — Ajinomoto Co. Inc. has applied to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval of Advantame, a sweetener, for use in foods and beverages.

"We are all very excited about Advantame," said Brendan Naulty, president of Ajinomoto Food Ingredients, L.L.C., Chicago. "The clean sugar-like taste means that it blends very well with sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, providing food and drink companies with an alternative that has both nutritional and environmental advantages."

He said Advantame may be used when formulating low-calorie or no-calorie products.