VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 17, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GLG Life Tech Corporation (TSX:GLG) ("GLG" or the "Company"), a global leader in the agricultural and commercial development of high-quality zero-calorie natural sweeteners, is pleased to announce that the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") has issued a Letter of No Objection for GLG'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 the FDA for a high-purity Reb C product certified under the GRAS process. This letter confirms that the FDA has no questions regarding GLG's GRAS notice submitted earlier this year, in which GLG, 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 all the more 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 today's GRAS announcement, GLG will soon commence providing product samples to customers as it begins developing its supply chain for Reb C Gold extracts. Reb A remains predominant in today's stevia market, even with the well-known issue of its bitter aftertaste. However, the introduction of GLG's Reb C Gold extracts in large-scale quantities, with its superior flavor profile, will offer customers more and better stevia extract choices for improved sweetening solutions for zero and reduced-calorie applications in both foods and beverages.
To date, GLG has received eight GRAS Letters of No Objection covering an array of high-purity stevia products; no other stevia company can claim such a mark. Furthermore, GLG has 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."
About GLG Life Tech Corporation
GLG Life Tech Corporation is a global leader in the supply of high-purity zero calorie natural sweeteners including stevia and monk fruit extracts used in food and beverages. GLG's vertically integrated operations, which incorporate our Fairness to Farmers program and emphasize sustainability throughout, cover each step in the stevia and monk fruit supply chains including non-GMO seed and seedling breeding, natural propagation, growth and harvest, proprietary extraction and refining, marketing and distribution of the finished products. Additionally, to further meet the varied needs of the food and beverage industry, GLG has launched its Naturals+ product line, enabling it to supply a host of complementary ingredients reliably sourced through its supplier network in China. For further information, please visit www.glglifetech.com.
Forward-looking statements: This press release may contain certain information that may constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding pending FDA review of GRAS submissions, future plans for GRAS submissions, and expected plans for or results of GLG's agricultural programs. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or words and phrases that state or indicate that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.
While the Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations about future events, the statements are not guarantees of the Company's future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include amongst others the effects of general economic conditions, consumer demand for our products and new orders from our customers and distributors, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities, uncertainties associated with legal proceedings and negotiations, industry supply levels, competitive pricing pressures and misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking statements. Specific reference is made to the risks set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form for the financial year ended December 31, 2013. In light of these factors, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release might not occur.
Further, although the Company has attempted to identify factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
As there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.