OAK BROOK, ILL. — PureCircle has developed a stevia trust mark that food and beverage manufacturers may use on packaging. The supplier of stevia-based sweeteners also has launched a global consumer marketing campaign called “We Grow Joy” that promotes the sweeteners.

The trust mark promotes products as being “naturally sweetetned with stevia by PureCircle.” Products with the mark already are launching in the United States and Latin America. Plans are under way to expand the packaging initiative into other global markets.

“We are committed to advancing stevia as a global mainstream ingredient,” said Jason Hecker, vice-president of global marketing at PureCircle, which is based in Malaysia and has a U.S. office in Oak Brook. “The response we have received from consumers, customers and others in the industry on our new campaign has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Our new trust mark and ‘We Grow Joy’ campaign, in partnership with our customers, will play a critical role in insuring that stevia maintains a firm place among other natural ingredients that consumers love and trust.”