Layn Receives FEMA GRAS Approval for SteviUp M2

Layn Natural Ingredients, a specialist in botanical extract manufacturing, received FEMA GRAS approval for its sweetener SteviUp M2, a stevia sweetener developed to deliver a clearner, more sugar-like taste profile with improved solubility and reduced lingering sweetness compared to traditional steviol glycosides.

FEMA GRAS is a Generally Recognized as Safe determination with guidelines and requirements specific to flavor ingredients, where its safety is determined by an independent expert panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA).

Layn launched SteviUp M2 in 2025 to address long-standing challenges associated with stevia sweeteners, ranging from bitterness to solubility limitaitons, while maintaining non-GMO and clean label standards.

“Layn Natural Ingredients has spent more than two decades advancing stevia ingredient development to help formulators create better-tasting reduced sugar products,” said Frank Xie, president and CEO. “Receiving FEMA GRAS approval for SteviUp M2 further validates our long-term investment in stevia innovation and reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality, science-backed solutions to the global food and beverage industry.”

SteviUp M2 is derived from high-purity steviol glycosides extracted from Stevia rebaudiana leaves, put through a non-GMO enzyme-based bioconversion process. The ingredient is 200-times sweeter than sucrose, the company reported, offering excellent solubility, minimal bitterness or licorice notes, and strong versatility across beverage, dairy, confectionary, bakery, sauce, and functional nutrition applications.

In formulation testing, SteviUp M2 works synergistically with the company’s monk fruit sweeteners across a range of reduced sugar applications, Layn reported.

“The FEMA GRAS evaluation is a rigorous, science-based review that helps ensure ingredients meet the safety expectations required for flavor use,” said Leo Lin, R&D manager. “Achieving FEMA GRAS status for SteviUp M2 not only underscores the strength of the scientific data supporting the ingredient, but also provides formulators with additional assurance when using SteviUp M2 in flavor systems and sugar reduction applications where taste profile is critical.”

SteviUp M2 also received FDA GRAS status in February 2025, supporting its use across multiple food and beverage categories including beverages, dairy, confections, baked goods, sauces, and functional nutrition products.