Howtian, formerly known as Zhucheng Haotian Pharma, has announced today the reception of a 2nd FDA No Questions GRAS notice for another stevia sweetener product. GRAS Associates, a fully owned subsidiary of Nutrasource, submitted the notice to the FDA on behalf of the stevia extract manufacturer. 

Glycosoylated stevia products offer improved taste via enzyme-treated steviol glycosides that are extracted from the leaf. These can serve as sweeteners or flavour enhancers, mask unpleasant flavours and augment overall taste, Howtian says. 

Amy Mozingo, VP of US Nutra Regulatory Sciences, Nutrasource/GRAS Associates said: “GRAS Associates is pleased to have assisted adding another steviol glycoside preparation into the Howtian portfolio permitted for import and use in the US marketplace with the successful GRAS conclusion and notification to FDA for their enzyme-modified steviol glycosides (GRN 999).” 

GRAS Associates assists supplement and food ingredient companies with regulatory scientific services, including guidance and programme development. 

“We are excited to receive the Letter of No Objection from the FDA to our Enzyme Modified Steviol Glycosides (EMSG) GRAS notification. The response underscores the safety of Howtians EMSG products, opening the opportunity to use them in a wide range of applications,” said Mavis Ran, Business Director at Howtian. “Howtians leaf-based product portfolio, which also includes our natural stevia extracts, minor glycosides and specialised blends, offers more possibilities now to address the increasing consumer demand for low sugar or zero sugar food and beverage products using non-artificial sweeteners. 

“Nutrasource was instrumental in outlining all the documents we needed to provide for the best chance for a seamless review by the FDA,” said Hank Wang, Technical Director at HOWTIAN. “The positive results from both our recent GRAS applications showed that they were a great partner to collaborate with.”