Cargill’s EverSweet® stevia sweetener named a finalist in the 2025 Global Good Awards Game Changing Innovation of the Year

Cargill's EverSweet^® stevia sweetener named a finalist in the 2025 Global Good Awards Game Changing Innovation of the Year

Meeting consumer demand for sweetness and health

• EverSweet^® named a finalist in the 2025 Global Good Awards' Game Changing Innovation of the Year category.
• Precision-fermented sweetener delivers sugar-like taste with up to 97% fewer resources than traditional production.
• Meeting consumer demand, EverSweet^® stevia sweetener is approved in multiple markets and adopted by major food and beverage brands.

WAYZATA, Minn. (September 26, 2025) - Today's consumers want foods and beverages that align to their wellness goals without compromising taste. In fact, according to Cargill's Trend Tracker research, 65% of consumers now prefer products that are less sweet. More than a decade ago, Cargill anticipated shifting consumer demand and developed EverSweet^®, a breakthrough zero-calorie sweetener, which has been named a finalist in the Game Changing Innovation of the Year category at the 2025 Global Good Awards.

Produced through precision fermentation, EverSweet^® delivers a sugar-like taste without bitterness while dramatically reducing resource use. Life Cycle Assessments confirm EverSweet^® achieves 96% lower land-use impact, 97% less water use, and 81% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional stevia and sugar production.

"Consumers are redefining what they expect from food - great taste and healthy choices," said Florian Schattenmann, Chief Technology Officer at Cargill. "EverSweet answers that call. It tastes like sugar, but without the calories, and uses a fraction of the resources. That's innovation doing real work - better for people and for the planet."

Since its launch, EverSweet^®, which uses the same sweetness compounds found in the stevia leaf, has gained traction with major food and beverage brands. Regulatory approvals are also expanding with EverSweet^® stevia sweetener approved in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the EU.

Broader market signals point to rapid worldwide growth in stevia-based sweeteners. Product launches have grown from about 500 in 2007 to more than 8,700 in 2023, with the market projected to expand from $933 million in 2024 to $2.58 billion by 2034 (10.7% CAGR, Claight).

EverSweet^®'s success reflects the work of 240 experts investing more than 300,000 hours of research and development uniting plant science, fermentation, sensory analysis, and food and beverage application expertise. Their innovation demonstrates how scalable, next-generation ingredients can align with consumer demand.

The Global Good Awards, founded in 2015, celebrate organizations driving scalable, replicable solutions that benefit both people and the planet.

About Cargill

Cargill is committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living.

Our 155K+ employees innovate with purpose, providing customers with life's essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 160 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing-today and for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

About the Global Good Awards

Based in the UK, the Global Good Awards celebrate organizations of all sizes making strides toward a better world. With categories spanning innovation, climate, and community, the awards spotlight projects and products that are scalable, replicable and driving measurable progress for people and the planet. Learn more at globalgoodawards.co.uk.