The EverSweet stevia sweetener has received a positive safety opinion from both the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), bringing the advanced sweetener one step closer to commercial availability in the European Union and the United Kingdom, according to a statement released today by Avansya, the joint venture between Cargill and dsm-firmenich.
Steviol glycosides Reb M and Reb D, the sweetest and cleanest-tasting parts of the stevia leaf, are brought to life by EverSweet stevia sweetener. It enables food makers to satisfy the growing demand for sustainable and nutritious goods by allowing for a large reduction in sugar content without sacrificing the quality of sweet flavour for reduced and zero-calorie meals and beverages. Since EverSweet is made using sophisticated fermentation techniques rather than by cultivating acres of plants, it uses less water, has less of an impact on the environment, and emits less carbon dioxide.
Avansya has used a series of independent life cycle studies to measure the environmental advantages of the sweetener. The sweetener provides significant sustainability benefits over sugar, according to the results, with 96% less impacts on land use, 97% less water consumption, and an 81% decrease in carbon footprint. With an 88% decrease in land use-related effects, a 92% reduction in water use, and a 76% reduction in carbon footprint, similar benefits were demonstrated as compared to bio-converted Reb M.
EFSA and FSA are the most recent regulatory agencies to assess the safety of the sweetener, which is already accessible in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other significant markets. The final approval is anticipated in 2024, at which point European food and beverage producers will also be allowed to purchase EverSweet on a commercial basis.
EverSweet was first made available for sale in the United States in 2019, although it is already widely utilised in other international marketplaces to create a variety of foods and drinks. It is well known for having a clean, sugar-like taste, a rounded flavour profile, and a quick sweetness onset. These characteristics allow formulators to reduce sugar content more deeply than they could with conventional stevia sweeteners.
Avansya CEO Andrew Ohmes expressed his excitement that his company’s European clients will soon have access to this cutting-edge, zero-calorie sweetener. “We look forward to working with them to bring consumers a new generation of products that reflect their priorities around health, nutrition, indulgence, and sustainability.” “With EverSweet, consumers don’t have to compromise on any of these points—it’s the sweetness solution that ties everything together.”