PureCircle has received approval for the expanded use of its next-generation stevia leaf sweetener, Reb M, in Singapore.

Reb M will be launched at Restaurant Asia in Singapore, an international restaurant kitchen and culinary equipment exhibition to be held on 21-23 March.

With this launch, food and beverage companies in Singapore will be able to use the ingredient in zero and low-calorie products.

Across the world, demand for stevia is growing, as beverage and food companies are increasingly using plant-based zero-calorie sweetener.

PureCircle has significantly bolstered its capacity to supply new generation stevia sweeteners such as RebM.

These sweeteners are claimed to be offered at cost-effective prices, are plant-based and non-GMO certified.

PureCircle CEO Maga Malsagov said: “Singapore’s approval to expand the use and application of our Reb M stevia leaf sweetener enables us to even better capitalise on the growth opportunities in Asia created by our innovation and by the increasing demand for new generation stevia ingredients.

“It enables us to even better serve our customers by providing them with the best-tasting stevia leaf sweeteners and flavours at scale, and cost-effectively.”

Earlier this month, PureCircle announced the results of a scientific study, carried out in collaboration with Biopharmaceutical Research (BRI). The study found that the company’s new generation stevia leaf sweeteners such as Reb D and Reb M do not impact the system of bacteria in the human digestive system or the ‘gut microbiome’, which is essential in maintaining a healthy immune system.