SweeGen and Ingredion Announce BESTEVIA Reb D Stevia Sweetener Obtains Non-GMO Project Verified Status

WESTCHESTER, Ill., and RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. — Ingredion Incorporated, a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to diversified industries, and SweeGen, a nature-based sweetener company, today jointly announced that BESTEVIA Reb D stevia leaf sweetener has achieved Non-GMO Project Verified status.

SweeGen’s unique production process starts with the stevia leaf and uses a proprietary technology to achieve high purity levels of Reb D. Sensory mapping, obtained through a trained sensory panel, shows that Reb D has a sugar-like sweet taste and has a sweetness onset and sweet linger (also called sweetness time intensity) that is closer to sugar than other stevia products. In 2017, the U.S. FDA issued a No Objection Letter for BESTEVIA Reb D stevia leaf sweetener for use as a general-purpose, non-nutritive sweetener for foods and beverages (GRN No. 715).

“Achieving Non-GMO Project verification for BESTEVIA Reb D adds another level of trust to the stevia products offered by Ingredion and SweeGen,” said Kurt Callaghan, marketing manager, global sweetness innovation, Ingredion. “As consumer demand for sugar reduction and non-GMO products grows, manufacturers can more readily respond by formulating with our portfolio of Non-GMO Project Verified stevia products.”

“Both our BESTEVIA Reb M and Reb D stevia leaf sweeteners are now Non-GMO Project Verified, which gives them a great distinction on the market. This is another big milestone for us and our customers,” said Katharina Pueller, SweeGen’s director of natural sweetener business.

Ingredion is SweeGen’s exclusive global distributor of BESTEVIA Reb M and Reb D stevia leaf sweeteners, excluding the People’s Republic of China and SweeGen’s house accounts. This collaboration enables both companies to benefit from each other’s strengths and to attract a diverse number of customers in the food and beverage industries for world-wide reach.

The Non-GMO Project (www.nongmoproject.org) offers independent verification for products made according to rigorous best practices for GMO (genetically modified organisms) avoidance. Verified products are produced in compliance with the Non-GMO Project Standard.

About SweeGen

SweeGen (OTC: SWEE) is dedicated to the development, production and distribution of non-caloric sweeteners for the food, beverage and flavor industries. SweeGen’s robust product pipeline, intellectual property portfolio, dedicated manufacturing capacity and R&D provide the company its foundation for innovation and delivery of high-quality sweeteners. For more information, please contact info@sweegen.com or visit SweeGen’s website www.sweegen.com.

About Ingredion

Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR) is a leading global ingredient solutions provider. We turn grains, fruits, vegetables and other plant materials into value-added ingredients and biomaterial solutions for the food, beverage, paper and corrugating, brewing and other industries. Serving customers in over 100 countries, our ingredients make crackers crunchy, yogurts creamy, candy sweet, paper stronger and add fiber to nutrition bars. For more information, visit www.ingredion.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, among other statements, statements regarding the future prospects for BESTEVIA® Reb D stevia leaf sweetener. These statements are based on current expectations, but are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond the control of each of SweeGen, Inc., and Ingredion Incorporated.Relevant risks and uncertainties include those referenced in the filings of each of SweeGen, Inc., and Ingredion Incorporated with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements, and therefore should be carefully considered. Each of SweeGen, Inc., and Ingredion Incorporated assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.

“BESTEVIA” is a registered trademark held by SweeGen permitted to be used by Ingredion for distribution purposes.