October 4, 2021

Sweegen Expands Sugar Reduction Portfolio With High-Intensity Sweetener Brazzein

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Oct. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sweegen is expanding its extensive sweetener portfolio in early 2022 with the zero-calorie, high-intensity sweetener brazzein. The product was developed in collaboration with long-term innovation partner Conagen, which has scaled it to commercial production. Brazzein is a small, heat-stable protein, 500 to 2,000 times sweeter than regular sugar, making it very attractive to food and beverage manufacturers seeking excellent value in a sweetener.

As a sweetener, brazzein promises little to no bitter aftertaste and helps to reduce sweet linger, reducing taste modulation challenges in the natural sweetener space. Brazzein is stable in a wide range of pH and retains its qualities after pasteurization. It is also readily soluble, making it ideal for sugar reduction across a spectrum of food and beverage applications.

“Introducing a high-purity brazzein to Sweegen’s portfolio of natural sweeteners is one more creative solution for helping brands make low-calorie better-for-you products,” said Sweegen’s SVP, Head of Global Innovation, Shari Mahon. “Brands can look forward to exploring the synergistic benefits of combining brazzein and stevia for reducing sugar in food and beverages in a cost-effective way.”

As a sweet protein, brazzein has great promise to fit into consumer diets, such as Keto, diabetes, or low-to-no carbohydrate lifestyles. Health-conscious consumers are also turning away from artificial sweeteners and accepting nature-based sweeteners, such as stevia and allulose.

Brazzein’s extraordinary qualities stand out among high-intensity sweeteners, but the quest to scale and commercialize it has proven difficult until now. Found sparingly in nature, brazzein derives from the West African climbing plant’s fruit, oubli. To scale brazzein sustainably, Conagen produces it by a proprietary precision fermentation process, a technology producing clean, nature-based ingredients.

“Brazzein is the first product generated from our new peptide platform, which fits well into our existing world-scale, precision fermentation infrastructure,” said Conagen’s Vice President of Innovation, Casey Lippmeier, Ph.D. “Peptides and small proteins like brazzein can be very difficult to make economically. However, now that we have successfully scaled this peptide, we expect more sustainable, novel peptide ingredients will rapidly follow.”

About Sweegen

Sweegen provides sweet taste solutions for food and beverage manufacturers around the world.

We are on a mission to reduce the sugar and artificial sweeteners in our global diet. Partnering with customers, we create delicious zero-sugar products that consumers love. With the best next-generation stevia sweeteners in our portfolio, such as Signature Bestevia® Rebs B, D, E, I, M, and N, along with our deep knowledge of flavor modulators and texturants, Sweegen delivers market-leading solutions that customers want, and consumers prefer. Be well. Choose well.

For more information, please contact [email protected] and visit Sweegen’s website, www.sweegen.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, among other statements, statements regarding the future prospects for Reb M stevia leaf sweetener. These statements are based on current expectations but are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond the control of Sweegen, Inc.

Relevant risks and uncertainties include those referenced in the historic filings of Sweegen, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements, and therefore should be carefully considered. Sweegen, Inc. assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements due to new information or future events or developments.

Attachments

Ana Arakelian
Sweegen
+1.949.709.0583
[email protected]

October 4, 2021

New Research in Kosovo Highlights Connection Between Children’s Poor Vision and Learning and Development

Study underscores link between uncorrected poor vision and children’s potential

DALLAS, Oct. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — A new study, a collaboration of the Vision Impact Institute, EdGuard Institute, and ESSILOR’s Vision for Life™ social impact fund, offers new insight into the correlation between uncorrected poor vision and children’s functional, learning, and behavioral capacities.

The study, the first of its kind conducted in Kosovo’s schools, suggests that one in three children reported difficulties seeing the board in their classroom. Findings also show that children with poor vision have a higher risk of developing incapacitating symptoms than children with good vision. These children:

Often report headaches and eye disorders (tired, itching, burning eyes), and modify their physical behavior when learning: squinting, getting closer to the book, resting on their wrist, or sitting in the first desk.
Have their learning capacity (reading, writing, doing homework) affected more often than children with good vision, and encounter more difficulties playing sports.
Feel uncomfortable when playing with others, and frustrated when poor eyesight hinders completion of homework.

“This research is an important collaborative effort, because it not only addresses the issues that children with poor vision experience when learning, but also addresses the psychosocial impact that affects how children learn to interact with their peers and their environment,” says Eva Lazuka-Nicoulaud, Director, Europe and Africa.

“The baseline findings show the need to develop a sustainable roadmap and introduce policies to ensure every child has access to universal eye care services,” says Kristan Gross, Global Executive Director. “All stakeholders, parents, teachers, and eye care professionals have a role to play in creating a foundation for a healthy and productive future for children.”

About the Vision Impact Institute
The Vision Impact Institute’s mission is to raise awareness of the importance of vision correction and protection to make good vision a global priority. Its Advisory Board is comprised of four independent international experts: Pr. Clare Gilbert (United Kingdom), Mr. Allyala Nandakumar (United States), Dr. Serge Resnikoff (Switzerland), and Dr. Wang Wei (China).

The Vision Impact Institute is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which receives support from the Vision for Life Fund from Essilor, the world leader in ophthalmic optics. The Vision Impact Institute hosts a unique database of research and advocacy tools at visionimpactinstitute.org .

Contact:

Kristan Gross
Global Executive Director
kristan.gross@visionimpactinstitute.org

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/832635/Vision_Impact_Institute_Logo.jpg

October 4, 2021

Water and Sanitation urges Western Cape to use water sparingly

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in the Western Cape urges all water users in the Western Cape to use water sparingly. The call coincides with the end of the hydrological cycle for the majority of Western Cape Province Catchments.

(DWS) National Spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau, says that most of the Western Cape Province experiences winter rainfalls and that the water is stored and used in spring and summer.

“Western Cape Catchments experienced significant rainfall in the year 2021. However the Gouritz River Catchment which covers the Karoo experienced multi-year drought seasons which resulted in lower levels of water for this region”, says Ratau. The more than 3 years of decreasing water levels in this catchment has impacted on agri-economy through decreased irrigation water, in particular in the Little Karoo.

While Western Cape is characterized by wet winters, this is unpredictable as Climate Change is leading to increased temperatures and rainfall variability. Given this a call is made to all water users in particular the high end water users to reduce the demand for water

Meanwhile, the hydrological report of today, 04 October, indicates stable dam storages across the Western Cape. The Olifants Doorn Catchment on the West Coast is as steady as last week at 99,06%. Haarlem Dam is the only dam that has seen an increase of more than 5% this week. Theewaterskloof, the largest dam in the Western Cape, is hovering above 95% of capacity, a fairly good yield, as compared to 3 years ago.

Ratau further states that as the Western Cape Hydrological cycle is rapidly coming to an end, there are a few things water users can do in order to maintain water security until the next rainy season. They are listed below as:

Reducing the demand for water use

Use of alternate water sources, including recycling, groundwater, etc

Repairing leaks in the household and the environment

Source: Government of South Africa

October 4, 2021

Former Ngqushwa Municipality officials in court over corruption, fraud

Former Ngqushwa Local Municipal Manager, Misiwe Phyllis Mpahlwa (54), and her co-accused have been each released on R1000 bail after they were arrested on allegations of fraud and corruption.

Mpahlwa, the municipality’s director of corporate services Mkhuseli Wiseman Mxekezo as well as former acting Chief Financial Officer, Tinus Matthysen (66), were last week arrested by the East London based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team for allegations of fraud, corruption and contravention of Municipal Financial Management Act (MFMA).

They were released on bail on Friday.

Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said it was alleged that Mxekezo deliberately or negligently created irregular expenditure by signing a memorandum dated 11 December 2019 for an event that would be held on the 12 December 2019 without procurement processes being followed. The expenditure was an amount of more than R273 000 for a Christmas event for the elderly people of the Peddie community.

She said: “It is further alleged that Matthysen failed to prevent the irregular, unauthorised fruitless and wasteful expenditure by approving payments to service providers without necessary documentation while he was on leave. Matthysen is reported to have been complying with the instruction for him to effect the payment by the municipal manager at the time, Misiwe Mpahlwa.”

Mgolodela said the arrest of the trio was subsequent to the arrest of Busisiwe Mfunda (34) on 29 July 2021. She also appeared before the Peddie Magistrates’ Court on the same day and was released on R1000 bail.

Mfunda was alleged to have signed a memorandum as an applicant requesting for procurement of goods and services for the said Christmas event.

“It is further alleged that after approval, she went on to source the quotations from various fictitious service providers for her personal enrichment by bypassing the supply chain office,” she said.

Mfunda will thus be joining her co-accused at the same court on 6 October 2021 pending further investigations.

Source: South African Government News Agency

October 4, 2021

Western Cape Government commemorates World Habitat Day with 29 000 housing opportunities delivered

Since 1985 the first Monday in October, the world over commemorates World Habitat Day. Amongst others, this is to reflect on the provision of adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.

In just over two years under Minister Tertuis Simmers’ tenure the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements (WCDHoHS), has created just over 29 000 housing opportunities throughout the province. This clearly demonstrates how the Western Cape Government (WCG) continues to ensure that it delivers opportunities to the most vulnerable residents. This is particularly for the elderly, those who are 60 years and older, persons living with medically certified disabilities, those that have been longest on the Housing Demand Database (15 years and longer) and backyard dwellers.

Minister Simmers said: “World Habitat Day presents us with the opportunity to reflect on how we’ve been delivering to our people. We’ve shown that we are serious about helping the most vulnerable in our communities. This is not only important in the delivery of Breaking New Ground/fully state subsidised housing, but in creating opportunities within the affordable housing space, while further ensuring that our people become fully-fledged and legal homeowners by handing over their title deeds”.

As part of its affordable housing spectrum, during the 2019/2020 financial year, the WCDoHS exceeded its delivery in the Financial Linked Individual Subsidies (FLISP) by providing 1 214 subsidies against a target of 996. Security of tenure was also ensured for 8 491 residents against a target of 7 110 by handing over title deeds.

Simmers added: “Given the various fiscal and other constraints, it is critical that we find a wide variety of options to continue delivering to our people. We’ve adopted a focused approach that speaks to the reality in the Western Cape and the need to create more affordable housing opportunities. These include rental and other options.

We’ve already shown our innovation by incorporating technology through the development of our WCG App, which allows beneficiaries to either register on the Housing Demand Database or to update and or verify their details. We’re also utilising alternative and sustainable building technology, as it is just as important to protect our environment, which the technology helps us with.

As the Western Cape Government, our aim to provide a habitat that is not only liveable, secure and safe but also that which gives our citizens access to the economic activities and emancipate them through sustainable habitat development” concluded Simmers.

Source: Government of South Africa

October 4, 2021

MEC Madoda Sambatha on North West reaching one million mark of Coronavirus COVID-19 vaccination administered

The North West Health MEC, Madoda Sambatha is elated by the progress made by communities and healthcare workers to ensure that the province reaches this significant milestone of administering over one million vaccines. The province has finally reached the one million vaccinated people at the end of this week.

“Our efforts to persuade our communities to register to vaccinate has finally started to bear fruit as we see our daily numbers of vaccines administered tick up. We are further impressed by the support we receive from various stakeholders who are drumming support to ensure that access to vaccine is hugely improved” said Madoda Sambatha

The Department of Health in the province has kicked into gear various strategies to promote access to communities by introducing innovative ways like setting up stalls at malls, churches, shopping centers, car washes and other frequented places to ensure that access to registration and vaccination is highly enhanced.

“Bridging one million mark of administered jabs in the province is no small feat, it is a demonstration of concerted efforts and hard work to ensure that we convince our people to take this life saving vaccine. We supposed to celebrate this milestone and continue to use it to pursue more of people who seem hesitant to get vaccinated so that we can reach our provincial target of 2.7 million before the end of this year to secure community immunity” added Sambatha

The North West province has administered 1 023 456 vaccines to date. With the Vooma campaign in full swing the province hopes to net more people for vaccination.

“Our dedicated teams of healthcare workers has heed the call by President Cyril Ramaphosa to intensify the outreach efforts this weekend from 01 -03 October 2021 to embark on the national Vooma campaign to ensure that more people get access to vaccine especially in Bojanala and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati districts. However these campaign will continue beyond this weekend in this province to ramp up vaccination efforts” concluded Madoda Sambatha

The Department of Health appreciates and salutes the efforts made by the private sector, NGOs, Churches, Traditional leadership and other stakeholders to promote registration to vaccinate communities.

Source: Government of South Africa