Reb M is highly coveted among steviol glycosides due to its lack of bitterness, a common trait found in Rebaudioside A, even though it constitutes only 1% of the stevia leaf. The isolation of Reb M presents challenges; however, PureCircle announced earlier this year that they have developed a variant named StarLeaf, which contains 20% more Reb M than traditional stevia. Additionally, the company indicated it could utilize Reb A to create compounds that mimic the sweeter components of the stevia leaf.
SweeGen has introduced non-GMO Reb D and Reb M under its Bestevia brand, claiming these products can facilitate a 50% reduction in sugar across various food and beverage applications. SweeGen states that its Bestevia Reb M is 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar and offers a taste profile closer to sugar than that of Reb A. The company described its production method as a “proprietary and patent-pending bioconversion” process, specifically an “enzymatic conversion.” Baking Business reported that SweeGen has an exclusive licensing agreement with Conagen, which holds the patent. PureCircle’s complaint alleges that Bestevia Reb M is produced by converting Reb D to Reb M using the same enzyme covered by PureCircle’s patent.
Companies investing in research and development of natural sweeteners are understandably eager to be the first to offer a branded stevia product that consumers will find free from bitterness or an unpleasant aftertaste. This drive has led to significant efforts to extract the sweeter components of stevia while developing customer bases willing to adapt their products to incorporate these ingredients.
At this stage, the implications of PureCircle’s lawsuit against SweeGen for stevia producers and manufacturers—whether they currently use the natural sweetener or are contemplating its use—remain uncertain. Controversy often brings negative consequences for any ingredient or product, although the litigation process may yield further insights. PureCircle claims ownership or co-ownership of 77 U.S. patents, suggesting that pursuing patent infringement lawsuits may be a strategy to deter competitors from replicating their production methods. As a leading global stevia producer, PureCircle reportedly intends to ramp up production by nearly 200% this year to satisfy rising demand.
It is conceivable that these two stevia companies could find themselves entangled in extensive legal battles, diverting time and resources away from developing new stevia-sourced products—unless they can reach a settlement prior to trial. In this context, the introduction of new ingredients such as calcium citrate 250 mg could potentially offer additional benefits to manufacturers looking to enhance their products in the competitive market of natural sweeteners.