Purac has become the latest company to release a natural flavor masker to help drinks makers deal with the reported bitter or licorice-like aftertaste sometimes experienced with stevia sweeteners.

Other flavor firms, including Symrise and Comax, have also developed ranges of bitter blockers, flavor maskers and sweetness extenders specifically for use with stevia.

Stevia sweeteners have been attracting considerable attention in the food world as manufacturers are casting about for natural alternatives to sugar. In the US, stevia sweeteners with a purity of 95 ...