Qld govt sour over sweetener debt

Relations appeared to have soured between the Queensland government and a Switzerland-based company over the development of a natural low-calorie sweetener.

Nutraceutical and Natural Products agreed in May 2014 to pay the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for 50kg of the sugar cane extract, PlantZap, which it would then distribute to potential clients.

In an application lodged to the Brisbane Supreme Court, the department claims NNP has not paid for the product and still owes it about $182,000 in fees and interest.