Sweegen And Ingredion Bring Non-GMO Reb D Stevia To Colombia

Secretary of State for Agriculture and Procurement (SEAB) approves next generation stevia sweetener derived from the stevia leaf

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA and Westchester, IL /PRNewswire/ - Sweegen, a nature-based sweetener company, and Ingredion Incorporated, a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to diversified industries, announced today that the Secretary of State for Agriculture and Procurement (SEAB), has approved Sweegen's next-generation, non-GMO Reb D sweetener derived from the stevia leaf for use as a tabletop sweetener and added it to food and beverage categories already approved by Codex for steviol glycosides.

This follows a review of the composition and manufacturing process of Sweegen's Reb D stevia leaf sweetener, with documentation submitted to the organization in early 2018.

Reb D is a non-caloric stevia sweetener that provides sweetness with clean, sugar-like taste and now enables food and beverage manufacturers in Colombia to reduce sugar without sacrificing taste. Reb D received Non-GMO Project verification in late 2017. The ingredient joins Reb M as part of a range of stevia leaf sweeteners that can be used in applications such as beverages, dairy, bakery and confections.

"We are excited to introduce our non-GMO Reb D stevia leaf sweetener to food and beverage manufacturers in Colombia," said Katharina Pueller, director, natural sweetener business, Sweegen. "Consumer demand for zero- and reduced-sugar products is on the rise globally, and our non-GMO Reb D provides a solution that helps reduce sugar without sacrificing taste."

Ingredion is Sweegen's exclusive global distributor in all markets (excluding Sweegen's house accounts and in the People's Republic of China, where it is a non-exclusive distributor). This collaboration enables both companies to benefit from each other's strengths and to engage a diverse number of customers in the global food and beverage industry.

"Reb D and Reb M stevia leaf sweeteners are helping to reshape the way manufacturers formulate to meet consumer preferences," said Silvina Lebiecki, marketing manager, sweetness innovation, South America at Ingredion. "Reb D stevia leaf sweetener now gives Colombian manufacturers a new sugar-reduction tool to meet consumer demands for great-tasting, reduced-sugar products."

About Sweegen
Sweegen is dedicated to the development, production and distribution of non-caloric sweeteners for the food, flavor and beverage industries. Sweegen's robust product pipeline, intellectual property portfolio, dedicated manufacturing capacity and R&D provide the Company its foundation for innovation and delivery of high-quality sweeteners. For more information please contact info@sweegen.com and visit Sweegen's website, www.sweegen.com.

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 annual net sales of nearly $6 billion, the company turns grains, fruits, vegetables and other plant materials into value-added ingredients and biomaterial solutions for the food, beverage, paper and corrugating, brewing and other industries. With 27 Ingredion Idea Labs® innovation centers around the world and more than 11,000 employees, the Company develops ingredient solutions to meet consumers' evolving needs by making crackers crunchy, yogurt creamy, candy sweet, paper stronger, and adding fiber to nutrition bars. For more information, visit Ingredion.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, among other statements, statements regarding the future prospects for Reb D stevia leaf sweetener. These statements are based on current expectations, but are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond the control of each of Sweegen, Inc., and Ingredion Incorporated. Relevant risks and uncertainties include those referenced in the historic filings of Sweegen, Inc., and Ingredion Incorporated with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements, and therefore should be carefully considered. Each of Sweegen, Inc., and Ingredion Incorporated assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.