A new sweetener, Sugarless Organic Stevia, has been launched in Australia by sugar substitute manufacturer Bathox Australia.

Stevia has become a popular natural sweetener globally, and is used as an alternative to sugar.

Bathox Australia was formed by industrial chemist and inventor Godfrey Wray in the 1960s to distribute the first branded sugar substitute, Sugarine. Mr Wray’s daughter, Katheline Wray took over as CEO when her father died in 2005.

Bathox Australia said its Sugarless Organic Stevia, which is certified as organic by Australian Certified Organic, is “the only organic stevia available on Australian supermarket shelves”.

“My father had a great vision and focus on using natural ingredients for a healthy life,” Ms Wray said. “We have spent years perfecting his recipe, now offering Australians a natural organic sweetener and sugar alternative that has many benefits for your body,” she said.

Stevia is an extract from the Chrysanthemum plant family which grows wild as a small shrub in parts of South America.  Extracted, steeped and dried like tea, then purified and blended with organic certified Erythritol — a sugar found naturally in some fruits that has zero calories — stevia’s sweetness develops from the glycosides in its leaves.

“As a local manufacturer, we are determined to innovate, constantly adjust and reinvent products to reflect the changing interests and tastes of consumers,” Ms Wray said. “Australians are more health-conscious and wanting more natural products than ever, and our new Sugarless Organic Stevia is a reflection of this,” she said.

Sugarless Organic Stevia is available nationally in Woolworths supermarkets in 200g cannisters (RRP $7.99), a box of 80 sticks (RRP $8.99) and tablet packs of 200 (RRP $7.99).

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