Stevia Nutra Moves To Fill Alternative Sweetener Market Demand as Coca-Cola Leads "Anti-Obesity" Pus

Stevia Nutra Moves To Fill Alternative Sweetener Market Demand as Coca-Cola Leads "Anti-Obesity" Push

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Stevia Nutra Corporation (OTCQB: STNT) - (The Company), an Agro-Management company focused on stevia agronomics, having just reported a successful first harvest, is developing plans to expand its production capacity of high quality stevia in Cambodia. This ramp up in production capacity coincides with a number of positive announcements by leading food and beverage brands to increase the use of the all-natural, zero calorie sweetener 'stevia' in their ingredient mix.

One clear example of this trend is Coca-Cola's recent announcement that its regular Sprite will no longer be available in the United Kingdom, to be replaced with a version that uses the sweetener stevia, and has 30 percent fewer calories. The change by the world's biggest beverage maker comes in response to a government push calling on companies to address obesity. Coca-Cola already made a similar move with Sprite in France last year. Sprite is Coca-Cola's fifth most popular brand in the United Kingdom, after Coke, Diet Coke, Schweppes and Fanta.

The announcement came ahead of the airing of Coca-Cola's anti-obesity TV ad in the United Kingdom. That ad first aired in the United States in January amid increasing fire over the role sodas play in fueling obesity rates. New York City, for example, is looking to enact a first-in-the-U.S. ban on sugary drinks bigger than 16 ounces in restaurants, movie theatres and other venues. Coke has already been experimenting with reduced-calorie versions of Sprite and Fanta that use stevia in select U.S. markets since this summer 2012.

"It's pretty clear where the trend line is pointing", said Stevia Nutra President, Brian Dicks. "The big food and beverage brands and manufacturers are addressing the "obesity-battle", and consumer demands, with new healthier products and formulations that are lower in calories. Stevia really hits the sweet spot because it delivers on taste, calories and is naturally derived from a plant, not from a lab. There is not enough stevia grown in the world to meet current demand and Stevia Nutra intends to expand its operations and capacity dramatically to take advantage. It's very simple. Consumers want stevia; we will grow it."

Stevia Nutra CEO, Dr. Hilary Rodrigues further noted, "We applaud Coca-Cola, with its global reach and influence on consumer tastes, for taking proactive steps in expanding stevia use as a food and beverage ingredient. In doing so they are extending the benefits stevia offers to consumers, especially those battling diabetes and other obesity related illnesses."

About Us

Stevia Nutra:

Stevia Nutra is an Agro-Management company focused on stevia agronomics which includes plant breeding, proprietary agricultural practices and post-harvest techniques. Stevia Nutra intends to invest heavily in R&D and IP acquisition and manage large-scale plantations for the production of high value stevia products.

Stevia Nutra is dedicated to utilizing best agronomic and business practices to demonstrate the sustainability and profitability of stevia production. By subscribing to, and implementing the performance standards published by the World Bank, Stevia Nutra is committed to becoming the premier producer of the highest quality stevia. Stevia Nutra recognizes the potential this remarkable plant has to reduce the global epidemic of obesity and diabetes and promote general good health. The Company's priority will be to embrace sustainability for smarter innovation and profitable growth.

Stevia and the stevia sector:

Stevia is the world's only all natural zero calorie sweetener. Since being approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration late in 2008, stevia can now be found in over 6,000 food, beverage and medicine products, with many more new products to follow as globally consumers are making healthier food choices.

Stevia is the fastest growing sweetener product in the world. The World Health Organization estimates that stevia will replace up to 20% of the global sweetener market valued at over $10 Billion USD. Zenith International expects that stevia agriculture production will have to triple within two years to keep up with the strong demand. Only one year after FDA approval in the U.S., stevia sales surged past both aspartame and saccharin in the tabletop sugar market.

Safe Harbor Statement

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements for the purposes of applicable securities laws.These statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the ability of the Company to become the world's largest producer of the highest quality stevia.These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements.Such factors include, among others, the timing and completion of contemplated financings, the actual use of proceeds, receipt of regulatory approvals and the ability to secure sufficient land for cultivation.In making the forward-looking statements, the Company has applied several material assumptions including, but not limited to, the assumptions that: (1) the proposed corporate development and expansion plans will proceed as planned; (2) market fundamentals will result in sustained commodities pricing and (3) any additional financing needed will be available on reasonable terms.The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. These statements are based on our current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future events or results to be different than those described in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those relating to: lack of operating history, transitioning from a development company to an operating company, market acceptance of our products and services; operational difficulties relating to international operations; our ability to form and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with customers and strategic partners; changes in economic, political or regulatory conditions or other trends affecting the food sector, and our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. Further information about these matters can be found in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings. We expressly disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Further information on the Company can be found at www.sec.gov and the company's website at www.stevianutra.com.

Stevia Nutra Corporation
Brad Long, 1-888-960-STNT (7868)
Investor Relations
investor@stevianutra.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Washington

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