Cargill, Evolva’s EverSweet Fermentation-Derived Stevia Sweetener Could Launch in 2018

In its latest report to shareholders, stevia producer Evolva (Reinach, Switzerland) said that it and its stevia partner, Cargill (Minneapolis), have set a launch date for their fermentation-derived Reb M/Reb D stevia sweetener, EverSweet. Although, according to past statements from Cargill, the firms had initially anticipated they would begin supplying EverSweet in 2016, in January Evolva announced that EverSweet looks to officially launch in 2018.

Last May, Cargill’s Scott Fabro, global business development manager, told Nutritional Outlook that Cargill wasn’t ready to commercialize EverSweet because the production costs were still higher than desired.

In its latest shareholders statement, Evolva reported this: “During 2016, Evolva and Cargill made solid progress on EverSweet. The FDA issued a GRAS No Objection Letter for EverSweet, and Evolva received pivotal patent notifications and grants in both Europe and the U.S. Current developments suggest that a launch-ready strain will be achieved during 2017.”

Until EverSweet launches in 2018, Evolva said it plans to focus production at Cargill’s manufacturing site in Blair, Nebraska. However, given the ingredient’s production via fermentation, Evolva added that Evolva is also considering moving EverSweet’s production to a new facility that would also act as a site for other Evolva products, including nootkatone and resveratrol.  

According to Evolva, however, any plans for EverSweet are still contingent upon ongoing negotiations between Evolva and Cargill, which Evolva said it hopes to complete by the spring of this year. “If the above negotiations do not translate to an agreement that Evolve believes is value-creating for its shareholders, the Evolva will focus on maximizing value from its launched, and commercially promising, nootkatone and resveratrol products,” it said.

Also read:

Stevia and Monk Fruit: What Makes a Natural Sweetener Natural?

2016 Ingredient Trends to Watch for Food, Drinks, and Dietary Supplements: Stevia

Jennifer Grebow
Editor-in-Chief
Nutritional Outlook magazine
jennifer.grebow@ubm.com