Heartland Food to invest in US stevia farming and production facility

Splenda Brand Sweeteners producer Heartland Food Products Group has unveiled its plans for partnerships to grow Splenda stevia plants 100% in the US.

The sweetener producer explained that the stevia plants have the potential to yield than the existing options, and is urging farmers to embrace the high-value crop, which could grow particularly well in the South and South-East regions.

Heartland Food intends to bring stevia plants in production by next June.

Heartland Food Products Group chairman and CEO Ted Gelov said: “We are passionate about bringing the best products to market, and for us that includes sourcing directly from US farmers. We’re putting out this call for interested farmers because we know this is good for farmers and good for our loyal Splenda Stevia users.

“Stevia has the potential to be an important US agricultural crop. We are in the process of developing partnerships with farmers interested in growing stevia and value its importance in the fight against obesity and diabetes by providing an all-natural zero-calorie alternative to sugar for consumers.”

The company further claims that the Splenda Stevia sweetener produced by these plants would be of the highest grade and focus on the sweetest glycosides.

Based outside Indianapolis, Heartland Food Products Group produces creamers, beverage concentrates, coffee and nutritional drinks, in addition to low-calorie sweetener products.

In August 2015, Heartland Food Products Group announced that it will be acquiring the Splenda brand from Johnson & Johnson (J&J) subsidiary McNeil Nutritionals for an undisclosed amount.

Splenda sweetener products contain sucralose, a no-calorie sweetener and can be used as an alternative to sugar. Sucralose is produced from sugar that has been chemically altered to make it calorie-free.