Vancouver-based GLG Life Tech Corporation (GLG) has received Non-GMO Project Verification for its stevia and monk fruit natural zero-calorie sweetener product line.

GLG supplies zero calorie sweeteners to food and beverage companies and their customers.

GLG president and CFO Brian Meadows said: "We are thrilled to have achieved this milestone, as this verification will provide more food and beverage companies, and their consumers, the opportunity to enjoy the benefits and improved taste profile of GLG's natural zero-calorie sweeteners in new products launching around the world."

The Non-GMO Project provides North America's only independent verification to ensure that non-GMO products are produced according to rigorous best practices for GMO avoidance.

GLG is also working towards Non-GMO Project Verification for its erythritol and organic erythritol.

Earlier this week, Meadows was quoted by Food Navigator-USA as saying that the company will be able to breed stevia plants with commercially viable quantities of Reb D and Reb M.

Meadows added: "The stevia leaf typically has around 0.3% Reb D and we've doubled that to 0.7% and we think we can keep doubling this until we ultimately get up to a level of 15% of total steviol glycoside weight (or 2 -3% on a dry weight basis); I think that's viable."

Image: Stevia cultivated under glass in Denmark. Photo: courtesy of Sten Porse/Wikipedia.