GLG Announces FDA's Issuance of Letter of No Objection for its High-Purity Rebaudioside D Stevia Extract

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - April 27, 2015) - 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 D ("Reb D") stevia extract where used as a general purpose sweetener. (Filing No. GRN 548). GLG submitted its application pursuant to the FDA's GRAS program, through which a company may submit its determination, along with supporting research and studies, that a particular ingredient is Generally Recognized As Safe ("GRAS"). The FDA's Letter of No Objection 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 high-purity Rebaudioside D (> 95% purity) is Generally Recognized as Safe.

High-purity Rebaudioside D stevia extracts have a sweetness level comparable to high-purity Rebaudioside A and have a superior taste profile to Rebaudioside A (less bitterness and astringency). Several major consumer brands have expressed interest in Rebaudioside D. To date, the supply availability and high price of Rebaudioside D extracts have been limiting factors for their broader use in the natural sweetener market. However, GLG is working on an agriculture R&D program to address both of these factors.

GLG is focusing its 2015 agriculture R&D program on improving the amount of Rebaudioside D glycosides through its non-GMO patented and proprietary hybridization process. In its first year of this program, the GLG agriculture team was able to double the percentage of Rebaudioside D in its current variety and plans to continue its efforts to increase the level in 2015. The Company has previously used this patented process to significantly increase the level of Rebaudioside A, Stevioside and most recently Rebaudioside C, and expects to make full use of this process to increase the level of Rebaudioside D glycosides in new varieties of its stevia seedlings. GLG has also patented its proprietary method of extracting Rebaudioside D from stevia leaf.

To date, GLG has received nine GRAS Letters of No Objection covering its broad array of high-purity stevia products. No other stevia company can claim such a mark.

About GLG Life Tech Corporation

GLG Life Tech Corporation is a number one sustainable choice for natural zero calorie sweeteners used by the global food and beverage industry including stevia and monk fruit. 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.

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