By Thom King CFS – Food Scientist and Chief Innovation Officer
At Icon Foods, we understand that not all stevia is created equal. That’s why we offer two high-performance options under the SteviaSweet™ brand to meet the evolving demands of food and beverage formulators seeking clean label sugar reduction:
SteviaSweet™ Conventional Reb M
Bioconverted from Reb A, this ultra-pure Reb M is crafted through enzymatic glycosylation using nature-identical enzymes. It delivers a clean, sugar-like sweetness with minimal bitter or metallic aftertaste—ideal for large-scale, cost-sensitive applications. Whether you’re formulating RTD beverages, functional confections, or high-protein bars, this version of Reb M gives you performance without premium pricing.
SteviaSweet™ Organic Reb M Stevia Leaf Extract
Sourced and extracted directly from certified organic stevia leaves, this is the choice for brands that won’t compromise on integrity. With its nuanced sweetness, compliant with USDA Organic, Non-GMO, and EU Organic standards, this stevia extract aligns perfectly with clean-label, natural, and premium wellness formulations. It’s your go-to for organic beverages, keto-friendly snacks, and nutraceuticals where every ingredient matters.
| Attribute | SteviaSweet™ Conventional Reb (Bioconverted from Reb A) | SteviaSweet™ Organic Reb M (Direct from Stevia Leaf Extract) |
| Source | Starts from Reb A, enzymatically converted to Reb M using glycosyltransferase enzymes | Directly extracted and purified from stevia leaf with no enzymatic modification |
| Production Method | Bioconversion via enzymatic glycosylation (may use fermentation-derived enzymes or microbial expression systems) | Solvent-free water extraction followed by crystallization; adheres to organic NOP processing rules |
| Certifications | Non-GMO GRAS (FDA GRN 795, 829, etc.) Clean label-friendly | Certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO, GRAS Often qualifies for organic-compliant formulations |
| Labeling (US) | “Stevia Extract” or “RebM” or “Steviol Glycosides” (depending on method and jurisdiction) | “Organic Stevia Leaf Extract”, “Organic Steviol Glycosides” or “Organic RebM Stevia Leaf Extract”. |
| Taste Profile | Clean, high-intensity sweetness (~250–300x sweeter than sucrose), low bitterness | Slightly more nuanced sweetness with faint earthy notes; still ~250–300x sweeter than sucrose |
| Functional Application | Ideal for mass-market, high-volume applications where cost and scalability are critical | Best for premium, organic, or clean-label products (e.g., natural beverages, functional foods, nutraceuticals) |
| Cost | Lower cost due to scalable microbial or enzymatic production | Slightly higher cost due to limited Reb M content in natural leaves and organic processing constraints |
| Availability | Readily available in bulk | Readily available in bulk |
| Purity | 95–98% Reb M content (depending on spec) | Often 92–96% Reb M, may contain trace amounts of other rebaudiosides |
| Regulatory Risks | May face scrutiny over “natural” claims in some jurisdictions | Organic and leaf-extracted—strong positioning in EU, Canada, and natural-focused markets |
| Environmental Impact | Lower agricultural input, but requires biotech fermentation or enzyme synthesis | Higher agricultural input, but no GMO, synthetic enzymes, or solvents used |
Below is a graph illustrating the sweetness curve of SteviaSweet™ Organic Reb M and SteviaSweet™ Bio-converted Reb M as having nearly equivalent sweetness perception, both far exceeding sucrose. This reflects scenarios where formulation techniques or purity optimizations bring organic Reb M nearly on par with its bio-converted counterpart.
Let’s take a deeper look at how the bio-conversion from Reb A to Reb M typically works:
Step-by-Step Bioconversion Process: Reb A → Reb M
| Step | Description |
| Starting Material | Reb A is isolated or extracted from stevia leaves. It consists of a steviol backbone with three glucose molecules. |
| Enzymatic Glycosylation | Specific glycosyltransferase enzymes (often expressed in genetically modified microbes like E. coli or Saccharomyces cerevisiae) are used to add additional glucose units to Reb A. |
| Controlled Addition of Glucose | The enzymes selectively attach one or more glucose molecules to the C-3 and/or C-19 positions of the steviol backbone — key positions that define different rebaudiosides. |
| Creation of Reb M | When a glucose is added at both the C-3 and C-19 positions in a specific arrangement (usually β-1,2 and β-1,3 linkages), the result is Rebaudioside M, which has six glucose moieties. |
| Purification | The resulting Reb M is purified through chromatography or crystallization to meet food-grade or high-purity standards. |
When to Use Which?
Use SteviaSweet™ Conventional Reb M When:
• You need a cost-effective, clean-tasting Reb M at scale
• You’re formulating for non-organic or conventional retail channels
• Labeling flexibility (e.g., “stevia extract”) is acceptable
Use SteviaSweet™ Organic Reb M When:
• You are targeting USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, or EU Organic markets
• You’re building a premium product line with a strong clean-label narrative
• Cleaner taste differentiation from conventional stevia is desired
• You need to meet strict ingredient panel transparency standards
The Icon Foods Advantage
Why choose Icon Foods? Because we go beyond ingredients. With our multi-source global supply chain, deep regulatory knowledge, and white-glove concierge-level service, you get:
- Inventory Security – Multi-Sourced means no single-source shortages
- Labeling & Regulatory Guidance – CFR-compliant declarations, organic support
- Formulation Expertise – Application support from certified food scientists
- Rapid Sample Turnaround – Get your R&D moving fast
- Collaborative Partnering – We’re not just a vendor—we’re your innovation ally
Whether you need the cost efficiency and clean taste of bioconverted Reb M, or the certified integrity and natural appeal of organic leaf-extracted Reb M, Icon Foods delivers the sweet spot between science, sustainability, and scale.
Whether you are formulating drink mixes or beverages, : SteviaSweet™ Reb M Bio-converted and : SteviaSweet™ Organic Steva Leaf Extract are your optimized solution for maximum sweetness with minimal off-notes. Reach out to your Icon Foods representative for : SteviaSweet™ Reb M Bio-converted and : SteviaSweet™ Organic Steva Leaf Extract samples, documentation and usage guidance.
Since 1999 Icon Foods has been your reliable supply chain partner for sweeteners, fibers, sweetening systems, inclusions and sweetness modulators.
Taste the Icon difference.
