BELLINGHAM, WASH.  — Sweet Green Fields and Tate & Lyle, P.L.C. have teamed up to launch Zolesse, a glycosylated stevia extract that may be labeled as natural flavor (per the Food and Drug Administration definition).

“Zolesse is a true formulator-friendly flavor solution,” said Mel Jackson, Ph.D., chief science officer for Bellingham-based Sweet Green Fields. “It eases the concern of formulators who believe consumers may be sensitive to stevia products when reading steviol glycosides or stevia extracts on the label. Plus, Zolesse creates no application hurdle since it has a negligible effect on the original taste of the products.”

Zolesse, which is Non-GMO Project verified, has been shown to reduce bitterness and lingering and provide a more sugar-like taste. Besides working well with stevia, it also may be used with monk fruit extract and sugar to enhance sweetness intensity. Average use levels in baked foods, cereal, beverages and hard candies are 30 parts per million (p.p.m.). Average use levels are 50 p.p.m. in milk products and 10 p.p.m. in soups.

Tate & Lyle, London, in 2017 became the exclusive global distributor of Sweet Green Fields’ portfolio of stevia-based ingredients.