Food & Beverage Asia April/May 2022

BITING ISSUES 23
Sweegen expands signature stevia footprint in Mexico
Sweegen’s Signature Bestevia portfolio of
nature-based sweeteners and sweetener
systems will be accessible to brands in
Mexico after the country’s food safety
authority has adopted the Codex Alimentarius
(Codex) specifications for steviol glycosides
produced by different technologies. This
includes Sweegen’s bioconversion method
for producing clean and non-GMO stevia
sweeteners, such as rebaudiosides B, D, E,
I, M, and N. Codex is the international food
safety organisation under the auspices of
the World Health Organization (WHO).
Adopting the rigorous Codex framework
for stevia technologies provided a
streamlined approach for reviewing and
approving Sweegen’s clean and sustainable
bioconversion process. This approval
by Mexico will provide greater access
to less common and better-tasting
steviol glycosides at scale and a more
sustainable supply of zero-calorie
ingredients with a taste closest to sugar.
The new regulatory development opens
doors for Sweegen to introduce Signature
sweetener systems to brands, in addition
to its rebs D and M, thus further expanding
product developers’ sugar reduction toolkits.
Sweegen’s LATAM Innovation Studio is located
in Mexico City and serves the entire region.
Obesity, diabetes, and its associated diseases
are prevalent in Mexico and are leading public
health concerns. Adult obesity increased by
42.2% from 2000 to 2018. In 2016, Mexico
declared an epidemiological alert as a result of
high rates of diabetes and obesity after a WHO
report published in 2015 raised awareness on
serious health issues and supported Mexico’s
sugar tax on all non-alcoholic beverages with
added sugar in 2014. UNICEF also reported
that Mexico is the largest consumer of
ultra-processed products, including sugary
drinks, in Latin American countries. With the
beverage sugar tax, fewer people bought soft
drinks, resulting in an overall decline of 7.6%
With the Codex adoption, brands have new
opportunities to connect with consumers
by delivering a full sugar-like taste in food
and beverages without the calories. ■
Sweegen
Create Better-For-You Condiments
That Make Tasty Complements
Sweegen’s team of Taste Blazers have created a
total toolbox of Taste Blazer Full Solutions, made
with Signature Sweeteners, that allow for up to
100% sugar reduction.
With delicious sweet taste profiles, velvety
mouthfeel, and rich textures, your better-for-you
sugar-reduced condiments will make the tastiest
complements.
You have a choice. Choose well.
© 2022 Sweegen
www.sweegen.com | in.sales@sweegen.com
FOOD & BEVERAGE ASIA APRIL / MAY 2022