Stevia First Corp. Announces Pilot-Scale Testing of Domestic Stevia Extraction

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - May 7, 2013) - Stevia First Corp. (OTCQB: STVF) ("Stevia First" or the "Company"), an early-stage agribusiness based in California's Central Valley growing region and focused on the industrial scale production of stevia, the all-natural zero-calorie sweetener that is rapidly transforming the food and beverage industry, is pleased to announce that efforts aimed at developing domestic stevia extraction methods have reached pilot-scale functionality and continue to progress toward commercial production capability.

As an agricultural biotechnology company devoted to the production of stevia extract, the development of fermentation technologies has evolved as the primary focus and key value driver for the organization. Stevia First's investment in pilot-scale stevia extraction equipment and related internal research is focused on demonstrating domestic stevia extraction methods that are economical and that can rapidly be incorporated into a modern, scalable stevia production system. Technologies being deployed are designed to be improvements over the stevia industry as it exists today, which was developed as long as 20 or 30 years ago in China and Japan, catering to the Japanese introduction of stevioside as a sweetener in the 1970s. The process of stevia extraction involves the separation of steviol glycosides from other substances, and it is required for traditional leaf-based production as well as modern fermentation-based production methods.

Pilot stage systems are generally used to reduce the risk associated with construction of larger-scale production facilities and to better define key parameters of innovative processes. Aiming directly at meeting or exceeding California's stringent food safety and environmental standards, which serve to attract multinational companies to adopt domestic stevia for use in new food and beverage products, Stevia First is employing specialized, sanitary, food-grade equipment for much of the pilot-scale development work.

"Our plans for an industrial-scale stevia production system in the United States are already well under way," states Company CEO Robert Brooke. "Momentum is building towards this goal, and we expect this to continue as we execute on fermentation-based stevia production milestones, and provide additional evidence that key engineering targets are being met."

About Stevia First Corp. (OTCQB: STVF)
Stevia First Corp. is seeking to establish a vertically-integrated enterprise in the U.S. that uses technological expertise in fermentation-based stevia production and improves upon traditional stevia farming and processing methods. Stevia First's U.S. operations are located in the heart of California's Central Valley, one of the world's most productive agricultural regions. For more information visit: www.steviafirst.com.

About the Stevia Industry
The market for all-natural, zero-calorie stevia sweeteners is expanding rapidly. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates stevia intake could eventually replace 20-30% of all dietary sweeteners. The total global sweetener market was estimated at $58.3 billion in 2010. For more information visit: www.steviafirst.com.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27(a) of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, projections of worldwide sales of stevia products, growth of stevia production and global markets. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and development stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.