02.18.15
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Letter of No Objection for GLG Life Tech Corporation’s high-purity Rebaudioside C ("Reb C") stevia extract where used as a general purpose sweetener in blends containing Rebaudioside A ("Reb A") and from 10% to 50% Reb C (Filing No. GRN 536). GLG submitted its application pursuant to the FDA's GRAS program, and is the first company to receive a Letter of No Objection from FDA for a high-purity Reb C product certified under the GRAS process. This letter confirms that FDA has no questions regarding GLG's GRAS notice submitted earlier this year, in which the Vancouver, BC-based company, through in-depth consultation with GRAS Associates, LLC, reported the results of its extensive studies and its conclusion that Rebaudioside C is Generally Recognized as Safe ("GRAS").
This accomplishment is significant because in December of 2014, GLG announced its major breakthrough in a new seedling rich in Reb C (its "Reb C Gold" seedling), which was developed through GLG's patented non-GMO breeding methodology. Historically, conventional stevia leaf contained Reb C concentrations of around 1%. GLG's Reb C Gold seedling contains Reb C concentrations verging on 7%. Lab tests show that Reb C comprises 53% of the glycosides in the Reb C Gold leaf, compared to values of 6% to 8% (relative to total glycosides) in other strains of stevia leaf – a remarkable 600% increase.
With this new GRAS announcement, GLG will soon commence providing product samples to customers as it begins developing its supply chain for Reb C Gold extracts.
The company has also submitted for review one more GRAS notice, for high-purity Rebaudioside D.
Dr. Luke Zhang, Chairman and CEO of GLG, commenting on GLG's Reb C accomplishments stated, "GLG is the first to market with a GRAS Reb C blend that will provide our customers with a superior flavor profile than existing Reb A stevia sweeteners. Our patented Non-GMO agriculture-breeding program once again enables GLG to provide our superior Reb C Gold blends on a commercial scale. Customers can expect to receive samples shortly of our Reb C Gold products and commence their formulation work. We are very excited to be able to offer our customers a natural non-GMO stevia product offering based on one of the best steviol glycosides known for its superior flavor profile compared to Reb A."
This accomplishment is significant because in December of 2014, GLG announced its major breakthrough in a new seedling rich in Reb C (its "Reb C Gold" seedling), which was developed through GLG's patented non-GMO breeding methodology. Historically, conventional stevia leaf contained Reb C concentrations of around 1%. GLG's Reb C Gold seedling contains Reb C concentrations verging on 7%. Lab tests show that Reb C comprises 53% of the glycosides in the Reb C Gold leaf, compared to values of 6% to 8% (relative to total glycosides) in other strains of stevia leaf – a remarkable 600% increase.
With this new GRAS announcement, GLG will soon commence providing product samples to customers as it begins developing its supply chain for Reb C Gold extracts.
The company has also submitted for review one more GRAS notice, for high-purity Rebaudioside D.
Dr. Luke Zhang, Chairman and CEO of GLG, commenting on GLG's Reb C accomplishments stated, "GLG is the first to market with a GRAS Reb C blend that will provide our customers with a superior flavor profile than existing Reb A stevia sweeteners. Our patented Non-GMO agriculture-breeding program once again enables GLG to provide our superior Reb C Gold blends on a commercial scale. Customers can expect to receive samples shortly of our Reb C Gold products and commence their formulation work. We are very excited to be able to offer our customers a natural non-GMO stevia product offering based on one of the best steviol glycosides known for its superior flavor profile compared to Reb A."
