Tate & Lyle Makes Monk Fruit Deal

DECATUR, Ill.Tate & Lyle announced it has entered into a five-year strategic partnership agreement with BioVittoria Ltd. for the exclusive global marketing and distribution rights for BioVittorias monk fruit. Tate & Lyle will be marketing the products in the U.S. under the PUREFRUIT brand name. Natural monk fruit extract is a fruit-based, calorie-free sweetening ingredient that reduces sugar and calories in foods and beverages.

According to terms of the agreement, BioVittoria will award exclusive global sales and distribution rights to Tate & Lyle for its monk fruit extract. BioVittoria will continue management of the monk fruit extract supply chain, including seedling cultivation, the grower network and natural processing.

BioVittoria is a leader in the innovation and development of this great-tasting natural fruit-based product, and has made significant investment in the monk fruit supply chain and processing to enable us to bring it to the market," explains Karl Kramer, President, Innovation & Commercial Development, Tate & Lyle. In addition to its great taste, PUREFRUIT enables a sweetened with fruit extract label claim, which our research shows is extremely appealing to consumers."

Tate & Lyle is a recognized global leader in ingredients and solutions," says David Thorrold, Chief Executive Officer, BioVittoria. They have both the resources and food and beverage relationships to accelerate the adoption of this unique natural ingredient."

Monk fruit, also known as luo han guo, is native to South East Asia. Its pulp is steeped in hot water to release a natural, calorie-free sweetening ingredient thats around 200 times sweeter than sugar. Monk fruit extract received a letter in January 2010 stating that FDA had no questions after receipt of BioVittoria's GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) notification.

PUREFRUIT is an extract made from monk fruit that can be formulated into a variety of foods including beverages, dairy, cereal, confectionery and bakery products.