Purecircle by Ingredion’s bioconversion stevia range receives a positive safety opinion by European Food Safety Authority

August 06, 2021

MANCHESTER, UK: PureCircle – now operating as ‘PureCircle by Ingredion’, is one of the world’s leading producers and innovators of stevia ingredients, announced it has received a positive safety opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for the use of its Reb M, Reb D and Reb AM stevia ingredients produced through bioconversion of stevia leaf extracts. This opinion also recognises that there are up to 60 molecules from the stevia leaf which are safe for consumption.

Upon final approval from the European Commission, which is expected to be published later in the year, PureCircle by Ingredion’s range of stevia ingredients produced through bioconversion of stevia leaf extracts, will be commercially available to European food and beverage manufacturers.

PureCircle’s proprietary technologies and expansive stevia experience enable the company to maximize the output of each stevia leaf. This results in more sustainable, efficient stevia plants which yield more optimized quantities of stevia ingredients and reduced overall waste compared to conventional stevia leaf varieties.

Sue Bancroft, PureCircle EMEA, commented: “With nearly 1 out of 2 consumers concerned with sugar, related to health issues , it’s clear that today’s consumers are seeking to limit the sugar in their diets and reduce calories, not with artificial sweeteners, but with ingredients that are naturally derived. As such, ‘PureCircle by Ingredion’ has invested significant time and resource in the optimisation of what the stevia plant can do and building the most robust portfolio of stevia ingredients.

“As a result, food and beverage formulators across Europe committed to formulating a complete and balanced sugar reduction solution that consumers love, have long benefitted from PureCircle’s range of plant-based, stevia leaf sweeteners and flavour modifiers, the most comprehensive and widest range available. Derived from leaf extract, these yield significantly greater percentages of the stevia molecules compared to conventional commercial stevia varieties.

“We are delighted that following the EFSA’s positive safety opinion, food and beverage manufacturers will soon be able to access PureCircle’s stevia ingredients from bioconversion. Produced from a process that mirrors the plant’s natural ingredient production process, the range provides a non-GM stevia leaf ingredient that is clean tasting, has a sugar-like sweetness with none of the calories and with no ingredient separation, and is fully scalable to improve cost-in-use.”

Combining PureCircle’s global innovation and sugar reduction expertise, with Ingredion’s industry leading formulation capabilities and broad ingredient portfolio, PureCircle by Ingredion helps food and beverage organisations of all sizes develop consumer-winning products using ingredients that optimise sweetness, minimise calories, enhance taste and deliver great texture. By maintaining ownership and visibility over every single step of the production process, it ensures all stevia ingredients are sustainably grown and fully traceable.


About Ingredion

Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR) headquartered in the suburbs of Chicago, is a leading global ingredient solutions provider serving customers in more than 120 countries. With 2020 annual net sales of $6 billion, the Company turns grains, fruits, vegetables and other plant-based materials into value-added ingredient solutions for the food, beverage, animal nutrition, brewing and industrial markets. With Ingredion Idea Labs® innovation centers around the world and approximately 12,000 employees, the Company co-creates with customers and fulfills its purpose of bringing the potential of people, nature and technology together to make life better. Visit ingredion.com for more information and the latest Company news.

For further press information, please contact: Chris Sanders
Stein IAS, Clarence Mill, Clarence Road, Bollington, Cheshire, SK10 5JZ, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1625 578578 E-mail: ingredionpress@steinias.com

About PureCircle by Ingredion

PureCircle by Ingredion is the leading producer and innovator of great-tasting stevia sweeteners and flavor modifiers for the global beverage and food industry. PureCircle combines advanced R&D with full vertical integration from farm to high-quality, great-tasting innovative stevia ingredients.
The Company collaborates with farmers who grow its proprietary stevia varieties, and with food and beverage companies which seek to improve their low- and no-calorie formulations using plant-based, non-GMO ingredients.

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About PureCircle

PureCircle is the leading producer and innovator of great-tasting stevia ingredients for the global food and beverage industry.

Learn more

About stevia

Stevia is a healthy, plant-based, zero-calorie flavor modifier and sweetener sustainably grown and endlessly versatile. As a sweetener, stevia is 250-400 times sweeter than sugar.

Learn more