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London, September 12, 2011- The Global Stevia Institute (GSI), the leading source of accurate, science- based information on stevia, is pleased to announce the recent addition of esteemed nutrition researcher, Dr. Margaret Ashwell, to its Global Scientific Advisory Board. 
With stevia approval in Europe anticipated by the end of the year, talk of the new, natural, no calorie sweetener is rapidly increasing among health professionals, food/beverage manufacturers and consumers. With the leadership of Dr. Margaret Ashwell, the Global Stevia Institute will further its education and outreach efforts in Europe with increased attention to the UK market. According to a July 2011 consumer study, conducted by PureCircle® in conjunction with the Global Stevia Institute, the timing for stevia is ripe. The study indicated that more than 70% of adults in the UK are more conscious of their daily sugar intake than they were five years ago. 
Dr. Ashwell brings her extensive experience and expertise to the Global Stevia Institute in nutrition and obesity having authored numerous journal articles on obesity and micronutrients. From 1994-2007, Dr. Ashwell acted as Research Coordinator for the Food Standards Agency’s Research Programme (FSA) on Nutrient Status and Function. Additionally, she is well known for devising the Ashwell® Shape Chart, which shows how waist-to-height ratio (a proxy for abdominal obesity) can predict health risk.
There is an emerging role and opportunity for stevia as an ingredient in the food and beverage industries given obesity and diabetes are projected to rise across Europe, and consumer interest continues to increase for more natural and sustainable ingredients.
The Global Stevia Institute was first established in 2010, through the support of PureCircle Limited, to promote accurate and science based education about the natural, no-calorie sweetener, stevia.  Since its establishment, the Institute has conducted global events and education to thousands of health professionals across Latin American, the United States and Europe.
To learn more about the Global Stevia Institute and subscribe to the monthly newsletter, visit www.globalsteviainstitute.com.

About the Global Stevia Institute
The Global Stevia Institute (GSI) is an educational resource for the industry and public focused on educating health professionals, food and beverage manufacturers, public affairs leaders, and consumers about the benefits of incorporating a plant-based sweetener stevia into the diet. Its mission is to provide accurate and consistent, science-based information about stevia as more and more people are looking for natural options to control sugar and calorie levels without sacrificing taste. The GSI is governed by an international advisory board of leading health professionals including MDs, PhDs, university professors, nutritionists, and award‐winning authors specializing in obesity, nutrition, endocrinology, biochemistry and food regulations.

About PureCircle
PureCircle (www.purecircle.com) is the global leader in the production of high purity stevia products. PureCircle is leading the industry with the development of a strong sustainable natural supply chain. Stevia is now being grown for PureCircle in more than 15 countries across South America, Africa, Asia, and the United States; it provides a sustainable cash crop for rural farming communities in each region. As part of its leadership of the stevia industry, PureCircle has pioneered the industry trust mark Stevia PureCircle® that educates consumers about the benefits of Stevia and provides a strong base of trust for both consumers and Food & Beverage companies alike. PureCircle’s global headquarters are in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. PureCircle shares are traded on the LSE AIM index.

More Information:
Allison Mikita, Communications and Nutrition Specialist, PureCircle Limited
(866) 960-8242
Allison.Mikita@purecircle.com