Sunwin International Neutraceuticals Inc., a worldwide supplier of all-natural, zero-calorie stevia, and Wild Flavors Inc., one of the largest, privately-owned suppliers of natural and health-enhancing ingredients, flavors, colors and innovative product concepts to the food and beverage industry, have completed the process for self-affirmation of GRAS status for the stevia extracts they supply worldwide.
Sunwin International Neutraceuticals Inc., a worldwide supplier of all-natural, zero-calorie stevia, and Wild Flavors Inc., one of the largest, privately-owned suppliers of natural and health-enhancing ingredients, flavors, colors and innovative product concepts to the food and beverage industry, have completed the process for self-affirmation of GRAS status for the stevia extracts they supply worldwide.
In February 2009, Sunwin announced a partnership with Wild Flavors, a company responsible for the flavors and ingredient combinations found in many of the most well known products produced in the food and beverage industry. Shortly thereafter, the companies jointly started the GRAS affirmation process. GRAS Associates LLC, a highly regarded independent organization focused on the GRAS submission process was retained to evaluate OnlySweet stevia extracts.
After months of extensive review of data, toxicology studies and production processes used by Sunwin, GRAS Associates has determined that OnlySweet stevia extracts meet the safety criteria for use as a general purpose sweetener in a variety of food products for consumer use including, food, beverages, confectioneries and table-top products. OnlySweet stevia extracts meet or exceed the specifications of 95% steviol glycoside content established by the World Health Organization Joint Expert Committee of Food Additives.
GRAS self-affirmation is a legal and FDA-authorized process that allows companies to conduct self-GRAS by consulting with an independent panel of scientists to determine if an ingredient meets the FDA’s criteria for safety. The necessary requirement is a “reasonable certainty in the minds of competent scientists that the substance is not harmful under the intended conditions of use.”
“Sunwin USA and Wild Flavors have done an excellent job in preparing high-quality OnlySweet stevia extracts that have attained self-GRAS status,” said Robert S. McQuate, CEO of GRAS Associates. “This collaboration has been successful in consistently ensuring high purity compositions that meet the international specifications detailed by JECFA that also fulfill FDA safety requirements. The broader food industry and the consumers they serve will benefit from the product integrity that Sunwin and Wild Flavors have captured in the OnlySweet stevia extracts product line.”
Kevin Gavin, Wild’s chief operating officer, says: “Wild Flavors has been able to quickly commercialize many new and innovative food and beverage product concepts and offerings with current customers for immediate entry in the market while also opening doors to new clients for access to zero-calorie, all-natural stevia sweetening systems. Wild has a total portfolio of taste-modification technologies with systems and solutions that address mouthfeel, masking, sweet enhancement and blocking of bitterness that improve the taste profile of foods and beverages containing various levels of OnlySweet stevia extracts.”
Jeff Reynolds, president and CEO of Sunwin USA, says: “The partnership between Wild Flavors Inc. and Sunwin USA has created great value to consumer packaged goods companies, consumers and Sunwin International shareholders by obtaining GRAS status. This affirmation enables our organizations to finalize numerous projects using OnlySweet stevia extracts as the all natural sweetener of choice. We look forward to working with Wild Flavors on continuing this great momentum and growth.”
Sunwin International is committed to sustainable production and supply of the highest-quality stevia extracts available and through the technological synergies between Sunwin International’s production knowledge, and Wild Flavors’ quality management systems and product development techniques. This partnership will result in exponential volume growth and opportunity through new routes to market and ensure the highest quality and best tasting products available.
www.sunwininternational.com
www.wildflavors.com
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