PureCircle Stevia Institute Debuts at the International Congress of Nutrition

Formerly Global Stevia Institute, PCSI Expands to Include Years of Extensive Research in Agriculture and Taste

Buenos Aires, AR, Oct. 16, 2017 – PureCircle Stevia InstituteSM (PCSI) debuted today at the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) 21st International Congress of Nutrition (ICN) taking place from October 15 – 20 in Buenos Aires. PCSI, founded as the Global Stevia Institute in 2010, has an expanded mission to advance research and share leading, balanced, science-based information on the benefits of stevia related to nutrition and health in addition to two new core areas of research: ingredient & taste and agriculture.

The Institute will continue to be governed by an international advisory board of highly-respected experts, leading scientists and practitioners, and will focus on both education and research. PCSI is supported by PureCircle Ltd, the leading global innovator and supplier of stevia sweeteners.

At ICN, PureCircle Stevia Institute will have three research presentations in collaboration with other partners representing its research pillars.

Tuesday, October 17 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Consumer awareness and perception of sweeteners influences food and beverage decisions

The presentation will discuss recent consumer survey data from multiple countries (e.g. US, UK, Germany, Brazil, etc.) on the awareness of various sweeteners and sentiment about stevia. Results reveal varying levels of consumer awareness across regions. Awareness consistently increases following regulatory approvals and launches of products. Of those consumers who are aware of stevia, majority view the ingredient positively, and generally more positively than both artificial sweeteners tested across all countries.

Tuesday, October 17 3:00 – 4:30 PM
Advantages of sugar reduction with blends versus individual steviol glycosides

Stevia leaves contain over 40 steviol glycosides (SGs) which provide different sweetness and organoleptic properties. Rebaudioside A (Reb A) is one of the most abundant and has been the primary focus of stevia usage to date, but has some taste challenges. This presentation will speak to new sensory research that demonstrates that proprietary custom blends of stevia have a significantly better taste profile, are closer to that of sugar and are the preferred taste profile versus Reb A alone.

Thursday, October 19 12:30 – 1:30 PM
Insights from the sequencing and annotation of the Stevia rebaudiana genome and their application in agronomy and health.

The presentation is about a breakthrough research achievement on the genome sequencing of three stevia cultivars.

“These recent advances in research clearly demonstrate that stevia is positively viewed by consumers and, these new stevia innovations can make a meaningful contribution to reducing of calories in foods and beverages without sacrificing taste. In addition, the possibilities with the sequencing of the genome are enormous,” said Priscilla Samuel, PhD, Director of the PureCircle Stevia Institute. “We look forward to continuing to advance the science of stevia and educating all the various stakeholder communities globally, about the benefits of stevia.”

Media Enquiries:

Jackson Pillow, Communication Specialist
Email: Jackson.Pillow@purecircle.com

Notes to Editors

• Formerly the Global Stevia Institute, the PureCircle Stevia Institute’sSM (PCSI) expanded mission is to advance research and share leading, balanced, science-based information that helps educate scientists, healthcare professionals and consumers on stevia’s benefits and the latest stevia science related to health and nutrition, agriculture, ingredient functionality and taste.
• PCSI is supported by PureCircle, Ltd., a global leader in purified stevia leaf extract ingredients.
• For more information, and to sign up to be part of the Stevia Community, visit www.purecirclesteviainstitute.com.

• PureCircle is the only company that combines advanced R&D with full vertical integration from farm to high-quality, great-tasting innovative stevia sweeteners.
• The Company collaborates with farmers who grow the stevia plants and with food and beverage companies which seek to improve their low- and no-calorie formulations using a sweetener from plants.
• PureCircle will continue to: lead in research, development and innovation; produce a growing supply of multiple varieties of stevia sweeteners with sugar-like taste, using all necessary and appropriate methods of production; and be a resource and innovation partner for food and beverage companies.
• PureCircle stevia flavor modifiers work in synergy with sweeteners to improve the taste, mouthfeel and calorie profile, and enhance the cost effectiveness, of beverage and food products.
• Founded in 2002, PureCircle is continually investing in breakthrough research and development and it currently has 72 stevia-related approved patents and 200 pending.
• PureCircle has offices around the world with the global headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• To meet growing demand for stevia sweeteners, PureCircle is rapidly ramping up its supply capability. It recently completed the expansion of its Malaysian stevia extract facility, increasing its capacity to supply the newer and great-tasting specialty stevia sweeteners and helping provide ever-increasing value to its customers.
• PureCircle’s shares are listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange.
• For more information, visit: www.purecircle.com