Amax NutraSource Supplies ISC with Monk Fruit

SUGAR LAND, TexasAmax NutraSource Inc. will supply Imperial Sugar Co. (ISC) with luo han guo (monk fruit extract)a natural, low-calorie, high-intensity sweetenerfor use in ISCs NatureWise Sweeteners brand of products, specifically in NatureWise Monk Fruit.

As we continue to create innovative new alternatives to high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and artificial sweeteners, partnering with reputable suppliers of high-quality ingredients becomes paramount to the companys continued growth and success," said John Sheptor, president and CEO of ISC.

Imperial Sugar has partnered with Amax due to the suppliers exclusive contract with a Chinese manufacturer of FDA GRAS (generally recognized as safe) approved monk fruit. Oregon-based Amax NutraSource offers a full line of natural sweeteners, a complete line of certified organic vegetable concentrates and more than 20 different varieties of tea extracts.

It is a privilege to be selected as supplier for Imperial Sugars new Monk Fruit Sweetener," stated Larry Martinez, president of Amax NutraSource Inc. With its patented compound crystallization process and the tremendous support and technology from our valued partnership in China, I believe Imperial Sugar will bring an exciting lower calorie sweetener to the market which consumers have been demanding."

Over the past ten years, Amax NutraSources partner in China has developed technology to produce a dry extract concentrate containing significantly higher levels of Mogroside V content , which is the compound in the fruit that is intensely sweet, including a 55-percent Mogroside V Monk Fruit Extract, which was submitted to the FDA in its GRAS application. This extract is approximately 220 times sweeter than sugar.

 ISC will be joining Amax at its booth at the SupplySide West Expo in Las Vegas in early October. ISC will be demonstrating its monk fruit product at the booth and will feature food items made with the sweetener.