After years of collaboration, resulting in the development of a new sweetener blend, Icon Foods, Portland, Ore., said it entered into an exclusive North American distribution agreement with China’s BioLotus Technology Lasa Inc.

Icon Foods will distribute high-purity RebM, RebA and enzymatically treated steviol glycosides on behalf of BioLotus. The agreement is an extension of the partnership the two companies have already forged, said Thom King, president and CEO of Icon Foods.

“Throughout our partnership, I have been struck by the BioLotus team’s dedication to the quality of their product in terms of good stewardship of the land, ingredient traceability and commitment to manufacturing clean, quality stevia extracts,” King said. “Their commitment to quality and customer service makes them a perfect fit for Icon Foods, and we are pleased to expand our working relationship with them.”

Under terms of the agreement, Icon Foods said it will act as the exclusive North American distributor for BioLotus, handling warehousing, packaging and all distribution functions. Icon will also handle sales and marketing of the company’s stevia-based sweeteners.