U.S.-Based Stevia Producer Adds Japanese Patent to Global Patent Portfolio for High Purity Extraction Process

BELLINGHAM, WA--(Marketwire - January 18, 2013) - Today, Sweet Green Fields, a leading U.S.-based global producer of high purity stevia extracts, announced it has been granted a patent in Japan for the company's proprietary high purity extraction process, the Fast Precipitation Process (FPP).

This innovative extraction process draws Rebaudioside-A (RA) out of mid-grade stevia extract and turns it into a highly purified powder equating to a purity grade of 95-percent or higher. This extraction method is 33 to 50-percent faster than the industry's conventional methods, resulting in a much more efficient and cost effective process. The process allows the company to utilize the technology for its single glycoside products like Sweetesse Stevia™ 97 as well as high purity composition such as the recently launched Optesse™ HPX and Optesse™ HPS, designed for superior taste and cost benefit in natural sugar and fructose blended products.

"At Sweet Green Fields, we are dedicated to offering food and beverage manufacturers the highest quality stevia extracts on the market and FPP allows us to deliver our premium RA products with superior value to manufacturers looking for better-for-you sweetening solutions," commented Dean Francis, chief executive officer of Sweet Green Fields. "This latest patent in Japan is another major step in securing global patents for our proprietary process to provide the best and most cost effective product to our partners worldwide."

The Japanese patent is the most recent in the company's extensive patent portfolio, including patents covering FPP in the U.S., Mexico, China, Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, Sweet Green Fields holds patents covering RA products of 99-percent purity or higher in both Australia and New Zealand. The company plans to work with partners in Japan to explore opportunities to leverage the more cost effective process.

A leading science-based global stevia producer, the company operates as a vertically integrated supplier, guaranteeing quality and control in every step of the process. With this latest achievement, Sweet Green Fields continues to demonstrate it is an industry leader in high purity stevia extraction powering innovation for the food and beverage industry.

For additional information, visit www.sweetgreenfields.com .

About Sweet Green Fields

Sweet Green Fields (SGF) is the leading U.S. producer of sweeteners derived from stevia, including high-purity stevia extracts and Rebaudioside-A. With a vertically integrated supply chain from seed to final sweetener operating in three continents, Sweet Green Fields markets natural sweeteners globally to food and beverage companies. Sweet Green Fields also provides formulation assistance with its line of sweeteners. The company has formulated reduced sugar applications in beverages, dairy, baking, and confectionary. www.sweetgreenfields.com

About Stevia and Stevia Extracts

Stevia is a plant of the Asteraceae (sunflower) family whose leaves have been used as a sweetener in South America for hundreds of years. Stevia extracts are the first all-natural, zero calorie high intensity sweetener that deliver on key food and beverage formulation metrics: zero calories, low glycemic index, heat stable, pH stable, shelf stable, non-GMO, Kosher and Halal, and cost competitive on a sucrose equivalency sweetening unit basis.

Media Contacts:

James Kempland

Sweet Green Fields

VP Marketing

360-483-4555

[email protected]

Jessika Goldstein

Duo PR, for Sweet Green Fields

206-456-3431

[email protected]