UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10Q [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended October 31, 1997 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from ___________ to ____________ Commission File Number 0-11718 Stevia Company, Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Illinois 36-2967419 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 1940 East Devon Avenue, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (847) 593-0226 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No Number of shares outstanding of common stock as of the close of the period covered by this report: 32,195,300 Page 1 of 20 pages contained in the sequential numbering system. STEVIA COMPANY, INC. PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Board of Directors and Shareholders Stevia Company, Inc. Elk Grove Village, Illinois The accompanying balance sheet of STEVIA COMPANY, INC. at October 31, 1997 and the related statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flow for the three and six month periods ended October 31, 1997 and 1996 were not audited; however, the financial statements for the three and six month periods ending October 31, 1997 and 1996 reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal reoccurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to provide a fair statement of the results of operations for the interim period presented. The financial statements for the year ended April 30, 1997 were not audited pursuant to Rule 210.3-11 promulgated under Securities and Exchange Act of 1934; however, the financial statements for the fiscal year ending April 30, 1997 reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal reoccurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to provide a fair statement of the results of operations for the fiscal year presented. STEVIA COMPANY, INC. December 9, 1997 STEVIA COMPANY, INC. BALANCE SHEET ASSETS October 31,1997 April 30, 1997 Unaudited Unaudited CURRENT ASSETS Cash 864 6,574 Accounts Receivables-other 0 9,668 Inventories 25,323 25,323 Prepaid Expenses 492 5 Total Current Assets 26,679 41,570 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Notes 1 and 3) Land 1,127 1,127 Furniture and Equipment 44,750 44,750 Building 483,200 483,200 Idle Equipment 121,728 121,728 650,805 650,805 Less: Accumulated Depreciation (106,572) (98,902) 544,233 551,903 OTHER ASSETS Patents, Net of Amortization 12,334 13,115 Investment in Affiliated Company (Note 4) - - --------------- ---------------- LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts Payable 31,709 43,849 Notes Payable-Officer (Notes 4 and 6) 0 7,588 Due to Affiliates (Note 4) 358,904 349,286 Accrued Executive Compensation 124,524 124,524 Deferred Rent 312 309 Accrued Expenses 9,214 6,597 Total Current Liabilities 524,663 532,153 -------------- -------------- NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Tenant Security Deposit 3,245 3,245 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 5, 9 and 10) - - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Notes 4 and 7) Common Stock, No Par Value, 100,000,000 Shares Authorized as of April 30, 1997 and October 31, 1997; Issued 32,195,300 Shares at April 30, 1997 and October 31, 1997 2,088,001 2,088,001 Additional Paid in Capital 100 100 Accumulated Deficit (2,032,763) (2,016,911) 55,338 71,190 583,246 606,588 ------------------ --------------- The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. STEVIA COMPANY, INC. STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Unaudited Three Months Ended Six Months Ended October 31, October 31, 1997 1996 1997 1996 REVENUES Sales - - - - COST OF SALES - - - - Gross Profit (Loss) - - - - OPERATING EXPENSES Marketing - - - 28 Research and Development 390 260 780 650 General and Administrative 15,388 15,616 28,567 28,967 15,778 15,876 29,347 29,645 Loss From Operations (15,778) (15,876) (29,347) (29,645) OTHER INCOME AND (EXPENSE) Rental Income 6,713 5,954 13,163 11,908 Interest Income 332 - 332 - 7,045 5,954 13,495 11,908 NET LOSS (8,733) (9,922) (15,852) (17,737) --------------- ------------ ----------- ------------- NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE (Note 8) (.001) (.001) (.001) (.001) WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING 32,195,300 32,195,300 32,195,300 32,195,300 ------------- ----------- ------------ ---------- The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. STEVIA COMPANY, INC. STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY SIX MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997 Unaudited Total Additional Share- Common Stock Paid-In holders' Shares Amount Capital (Deficit) Equity BALANCE May 1, 1997 32,195,300 2,088,001 100 (2,016,911) 71,190 NET INCOME (LOSS) - - - ( 15,852) (15,852) BALANCE, October 31, 1997 32,195,300 2,088,001 100 (2,032,763) 55,338 ---------------- ------------- ------ ------------ ----------- The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements STEVIA COMPANY, INC. STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW Unaudited Six Months Ended October 31, 1997 1996 OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Loss (15,852) (17,737) Adjustments to Reconcile Net (Loss) to Net Cash Used by Operating Activities: Depreciation and Amortization 8,451 7,043 Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities: (Increase) Decrease in Accounts Receivable 9,668 - (Increase) Decrease in Inventories and Prepaid Expenses ( 487) ( 524) Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses ( 9,520) ( 1,611) Increase (Decrease) in Due to Affiliates (Note 4) 9,618 10,079 Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities 1,878 ( 2,750) INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided (Used) by Investing Activities - - FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds From (Repayments of) Notes (Note 6) ( 7,588) 2,000 Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities ( 7,588) 2,000 Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents ( 5,710) ( 750) Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period 6,574 1,431 Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period 864 681 ------------- --------------- The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. STEVIA COMPANY, INC. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: Inventories - Harvested crop inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined by actual specific production cost) or market value (less estimated cost of disposal). Components of inventories are as follows: October 31, 1997 April 30, 1997 Seeds 18,361 18,361 Leaves 6,962 6,962 $ 25,323 $ 25,323 -------------- --------------- Research and Development, and Patents - Research and development expenditures, including depreciation of laboratory equipment, are charged to operations as incurred. The costs of obtaining patents, primarily legal fees, are capitalized and amortized over seventeen years on the straight-line method. Property and Equipment - Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed, primarily on the straight-line and accelerated methods, over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expenses as incurred; renewals and betterments which significantly extend the useful lives of existing property and equipment are capitalized. 2. Company Organization and Description: Stevia Company, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois on November 22, 1976. The Company was organized primarily to engage in the business of developing and manufacturing natural products, including sweeteners, derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant. 3. Property and Equipment: In 1986, the Company completed construction of a building for a sweetener production facility in Pueblo, Colorado on a parcel of land (25 acres) owned by the Company. The net price for construction of the building was $483,200. The Company also purchased certain equipment for its processing facility. Completion of the processing facility was terminated in 1987 due to lack of funds. See Footnote 11. On September 1, 1993, the Company entered into a three-year lease for its Pueblo, Colorado facility with an unaffiliated third party. The tenant was granted two one-year options and a first right of refusal to purchase the Pueblo, Colorado facility in the event the Company sells or otherwise disposes of the facility. The lease provides for base rent of $19,473 for the first two years, $20,466 for the third year, $22,394 for the first option year and $23,264 for the second option year. STEVIA COMPANY, INC. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 4. Related Party Transactions: The Company was indebted to affiliated companies as follows: October 31, April 30, 1997 1997 F.K. Suzuki International, Inc. $ 70,412 $ 70,412 Biosynergy, Inc. $ 288,492 $ 278,874 Totals $ 358,904 $ 349,286 ------------- ------------ The amount due to F.K. Suzuki International, Inc. is the net license fees due under an irrevocable exclusive license agreement with F.K. Suzuki International, Inc. described in Note 9, less certain prepayments and discounts with regard to such license agreement. The Company shares common offices with Biosynergy, Inc. Each company has incurred certain shared office expenses which have been allocated to the other company. The Company had a net payable of $288,492 at October 31, 1997 as compared to a net payable of $278,874 at April 30, 1997. The Company and its affiliates are related through Common Stock ownership as follows on October 31, 1997. S T O C K O F A F F I L I A T E S F.K. Suzuki Stevia Biosynergy International Medlab Stock Owner Company Inc. Inc. Inc. Stevia Company, Inc. - 13.8% - - Biosynergy, Inc. .4% - - - F.K. Suzuki International, Inc. 55.8% 18.8% - 100.0% Medlab, Inc. - - - - Fred K. Suzuki, Officer/ - - 35.6% - Director Lauane C. Addis, Officer/ .1% .1% 32.7% - Director James F. Schembri, .2% 12.9% - - Director On July 7, 1983, Biosynergy, Inc. (an affiliated company) successfully completed a public offering. As part of this public offering the Company exchanged 1,058,181 shares of its Common Stock for 2,000,000 shares of Biosynergy, Inc.'s Common Stock. The Common Stock of the Company had no book value at the time of the exchange; thus no dollar value was assigned to the transaction. The Company sold 100,000 of these shares. Although Biosynergy, Inc.'s Common Stock can be traded in the over-the-counter market, there is no established public trading market for such Common Stock due to limited and sporadic trades. In June, 1993, Fred K. Suzuki, President of the Company, advanced $7,587.75 to the Company for STEVIA COMPANY, INC. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS payment of the Company's share of the costs, including legal fees, of settling a lawsuit. This advance was repaid during the six-month period ended October 31, 1997. See also Note 6. 5. Lease Commitments: The Company shares offices in Elk Grove Village, Illinois with Biosynergy, Inc. The master lease for these offices, which expires January 31, 2001, is in the name of Biosynergy, Inc. The total annual base rent for these premises is $60,500.00 for 1 year, $68,199.96 for years 2 and 3, and $69,300.00 for years 4 and 5. The Company's portion is $9,075.00 for year 1, $10,230.00 for years 2 and 3, and $10,395.00 for years 4 and 5. 6. Notes Payable: Notes Payable - Officer consists of the following: . an unsecured note dated July 1, 1993 in the original amount of $7,588 payable to Fred K. Suzuki, President. The note is due on demand and bears interest at 10% per annum. This note was repaid during the six-month period ending October 31, 1997. 7. Shareholders' Equity: The authorized capital stock of Stevia Company is 100,000,000 shares of no par value Common Stock and 100,000 shares of $100 par value Preferred Stock. The preferences, qualifications, limitations, restrictions and special or relative rights in respect to the Preferred Stock are to be determined by the Board of Directors at the time of issuance, subject to limitations set forth in the Amended Articles of Incorporation. As of April 30, 1997 and October 31, 1997, no shares of Preferred Stock were outstanding. On November 1, 1989, the Company's Secretary, Lauane C. Addis, and President, Fred K. Suzuki, agreed to forego their salaries in exchange for an option to purchase 83,333 shares of the Company's no par value common stock for each month they forfeited their salary at an option price of $.025 per share. Accrual of these options was terminated effective April 30, 1991. These options may be exercised until one year after the repayment of the deferred compensation due at October 31, 1989, the optionee's salary is reinstated, or the optionee is no longer employed by the Company, whichever is later. As of October 31, 1997, none of these options have been exercised and a total of 2,999,988 shares are subject to the options. These options provide for adjustments to prevent dilution in the event of capital reorganizations. Mr. Suzuki was granted an option to convert all or a portion of his deferred compensation into shares of the Company's no par value common stock at a conversion rate of $.025 of deferred compensation per share. Conversion can only occur in the event the Company has sufficient liquid assets to pay all employee taxes due upon issuance of the shares. A total of 1,448,917 shares have been reserved for Mr. Suzuki's option. No portion of the option has been exercised as of October 31, 1997. The option provides for adjustments to prevent dilution in the event of capital reorganizations. 8. Income (Loss) per shae is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of STEVIA COMPANY, INC. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Common Stock outstanding during the period, after giving effect to stock splits. The effect of exercise of stock options has not been presented as exercise would be anti-dilutive. 9. Agreements, Licenses and Options: The Company entered into an irrevocable exclusive license agreement with F.K. Suzuki International, Inc., parent of the Company, in 1983. For an annual fee of $75,000, payable beginning in January of 1987, the Company received certain patent and other rights owned by F.K. Suzuki , Inc. Effective May 1, 1988, the license agreement was amended to provide for a royalty payment of 3% of revenues derived from the licensed technology in lieu of a set fee. No fees were incurred during the six-month period ending October 31, 1997. 10. Income Taxes: There is no provision for income taxes in the accompanying financial statements due to the Company's net operating loss position. At April 30, 1997, net operating loss carryforwards are available and expire, if not used, as follows: 1996 51,092 1997 292,440 1998 224,075 1999 167,356 2000 302,320 2001 423,843 2002 389,355 2003 328,154 2004 189,389 2005 133,704 2006 74,264 2007 73,470 2008 49,568 2009 119,410 2010 55,831 2011 33,519 2012 37,407 $3,064,297 -------- ------- The Company has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes". Due to the historical and continued net operating losses of the Company, Statement 109 has no material effect, if any, on the Company's Financial Statements. The Company has elected not to retroactively adopt the provisions allowed in SFAS NO.109; however, all provisions of the document have been applied since the beginning of fiscal year 1994. 11. Management's Plans: In view of the fact that the Company has incurred losses of $37,407, $33,519 and $55,831 for the years ended April 30, 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively, management of the Company recognizes the ability of the Company to continue is contingent upon the Company obtaining financing so it can STEVIA COMPANY, INC. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS commence operations or acquire alternative operations. Before the Company can realize material operating revenues from its proposed operations, the Company must equip and commence operations of a processing facility. The cost of equipping a processing facility is significant, and therefore the Company's objective has been to obtain such financing. Although the Company will continue to seek financing for its proposed operations, the Company will also pursue alternatives, such as licensing its technology, selling Stevia Company or its assets, or combining Stevia Company with another enterprise. Although no agreements have been entered into for consummating any such transaction, management of the Company believes such a transaction may be possible in the future. 12. Unaudited Financial Statements: The Company's Financial Statements for the fiscal year ending April 30, 1997 were not audited pursuant to Rule 210.3-11 of Regulation SX promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which provides that an inactive entity need not submit audited financial statements with reports filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. An inactive entity is defined as an entity not having gross receipts from all sources and expenditures for all purposes in excess of $100,000 each, which has not purchased or sold any of its own stock, granted options therefore, or levied any assessments against outstanding stock during the applicable fiscal year, which has had no material change in business, including any material acquisitions or dispositions of assets, and which is not required to publish audited financial statements by any exchange or governmental authority having jurisdiction. In the opinion of management, the Company met the criteria of an inactive entity for the fiscal year ending April 30, 1997. Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS SALES/REVENUES The Company had no sales during the quarter ("2nd Quarter") or six month period ending October 31, 1997. The Company did not produce rebaudioside A or other products on a commercial basis during the 2nd Quarter, and was not expected to have sales. After commencement of commercial operations, Management continues to believe that a market for its Stevia products could be developed. The Company realized rental income of $6,713 during the 2nd Quarter and $13,163 during the six-month period ending October 31, 1997 from leasing its Pueblo, Colorado facility to an unrelated third party. The lease between the Company and the tenant grants the tenant two one-year options. The tenant exercised its rights under the second one-year option as of September 1, 1997. The lease provides for rent of $23,264 for the second option period. The Company also realized $332 of the interest income during the 2nd Quarter on late rental payments by the tenant of the Pueblo, Colorado facility. COSTS AND EXPENSES The overall operating expenses of the Company decreased by $98 during the 2nd Quarter as compared to the same quarter ending in 1996 and decreased by $298 during the six month period ending October 31, 1997 as compared to the same period ending in 1996. Most of the current expenses are overhead and general and administration items required to maintain the Company. It is not anticipated that the expenses of the Company will materially change until the Company receives financing or commences alternative operations. NET LOSS The Company realized a net loss of $8,733 in the 2nd Quarter as compared to a net loss of $9,922 in the comparative quarter in 1996. The Company's net loss of $15,852 during the six month period ending October 31, 1997 was $1,885 less than the net loss during the comparative period in 1996. The Company's continuing losses are due to the lack of operating revenues, which will continue until such time as the Company produces its sweeteners and other products for sale or can obtain alternative revenues. See "LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES" below. As of April 30, 1997, the Company has incurred net operating losses aggregating $3,064,297. There is no provision for income taxes in the Financial Statements due to the Company's net operating loss position. Furthermore, the Tax Reform Act of 1986 will not materially alter the Company's net operating loss carryforward position, and the net operating loss carryforwards will be available and expire, if not used, as set forth in Footnote 10 to the Financial Statements. See "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS." ASSETS/LIABILITY RATIO The ratio of current assets to current liabilities (.05 to 1) is not acceptable taking into considely of inventory. It is unknown how much inventory the Company can sell, if any. The Company is not producing inventory and there can be no assurance of long-term revenues, if any. The inventory consists primarily of Stevia leaves, which have been grown and harvested by the Company for use in its initial processing operations or for sale, and seeds which may be used for growing more leaves. See "LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES" below. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company's net working capital decreased by $7,401 during the six month period ending October 31, 1997. The Company's negative net working capital is due to the continuing losses of the Company. The Company had $864 in cash at October 31, 1997. Management of the Company believes this amount is insufficient to provide working capital for the ensuing quarter. The Company does not have, nor does it anticipate obtaining in the near future, a working line of credit. The Company's ability to generate cash adequate to meet its future needs depends upon its ability to obtain financing for the purpose of beginning revenue producing operations. In the event the Company is unable to obtain financing, management will seek out alternatives, such as licensing the Company's technology, selling the Company or its assets, leasing the Company's Pueblo facility, or combining the Company with other businesses. The Company and an affiliate, Biosynergy, Inc. ("BSI"), share office space, and as a result, share certain expenses. Both companies account to each other on an on-going basis for these shared expenses. The resulting payable as of April 30, 1997 was $278,874 and $288,492 as of October 31, 1997. The amounts due to BSI reflect on-going transactions in the ordinary course of business and do not represent any extraordinary transactions. Shared expenses include salary for common employees and related benefits, payroll overhead, utilities, and certain legal expenses. Management of the Company bel effective to share these expenses with BSIy continue to do so in the near future. However, there is no assurance BSI will be in a position or agree to continue to extend credit to the Company for these shared expenses. On September 1, 1993, the Company entered into a three-year lease for its Pueblo, Colorado facility with an unaffiliated third party. The tenant was granted two one-year options and a first right of refusal to purchase the Pueblo, Colorado facility in the event the Company sells or otherwise disposes of the facility. The lease provides for base rent of $19,473 for the first two years, $20,466 for the third year, $22,394 for the first option year and $23,264 for the second option year. See "SALES/REVENUES" above. The proceeds from leasing such facility are used to offset expenses of the facility and to cover a portion of the general and administrative expenses of the Company. However, the cash flow from leasing the facility in Pueblo is not expected to be sufficient to cover all of the expenses of the Company for the ensuing year, and furthermore, there can be no assurance the Company will be able to continue leasing its facility. In this regard, the lessee of the facility has exercised its option to extend the lease for the final option year which ends August 31, 1998. The Company owns 1,900,000 shares of BSI common stock. Such common stock can be traded in the over-the-counter market and stock prices are recorded on "pink sheets." The bid price at October 31, 1997 was estimated to be $.01 per share. Although the Company is free to currently sell these shares of Biosynergy, Inc. common stock, it does not have plans to do so in the near future. See Footnote 4 of the "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS." STEVIA COMPANY, INC. PART II - OTHER INFORMATION Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K. A. The following Exhibits are included herein pursuant to Section 601: (3) (a) Articles of Incorporation (i) (b) By-Laws (ii) (10) Material Contracts. (a) Deferred Compensation Option Agreement by and between Stevia Company, Inc. and Fred K. Suzuki, effective November 1, 1989. (iii) (b) Deferred Compensation Option Agreement by and between Stevia Company, Inc. and Lauane C. Addis, effective November 1, 1989. (iii) (c) Amendment to Deferred Compensation Option Agreement by and between Stevia Company, Inc. and Fred K. Suzuki, effective April 1, 1991. (iv) (d) Lease Agreement, dated September 1, 1993, between the Company and Pacific Aero Manufacturing, Inc. (v) (e) Promissory Note dated July 1, 1993 payable to Fred K. Suzuki in the amount of $7,587.75. (v) (11) Statement regarding computation of per share earnings -none. (15) Letter dated December 9, 1997, regarding interim financial information. (iv) (18) Letter regarding change in accounting principals - none. (19) Reports furnished to security holders - none. (22) Published report regarding matters submitted to vote of security holders - none. (23) Consents of experts and counsel - none. (24) Power of Attorney - none. (27) Financial Data Schedule. P. E-1 B. No Current Reports on Form 8K were filed during the period covered by this Report. FOOTNOTES (i) Incorporated by reference to a Registration Statement filed on Form S-18 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, 1933 Act, Registration Number 2-87364C, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and incorporated by reference, to the extent of Articles of Amendment, to Form 10K for Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 1986 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (ii) Incorporated by reference to Form 10K for Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 1987 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (iii) Incorporated by reference to Form 10K for Fiscal Year ending April 30, 1990 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (iv) Incorporated by reference to Form 10K for Fiscal Year ending April 30, 1991 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (v) Incorporated by reference to Form 10K for Fiscal Year ending April 30, 1994 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (vi) This Exhibit is included in this report as a part of the Financial Statements, and is incorporated by reference herein SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. STEVIA COMPANY, INC. Date December 10, 1997 /s/ FRED K. SUZUKI /s/ Fred K. Suzuki President, Chairman of the Board, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer Date December 10, 1997 /s/ LAUANE C. ADDIS /s/ Lauane C. Addis Secretary, Corporate Counsel and Director __________________________________________________________________ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10Q Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the period ending October 31, 1997 Commission File Number: 0-11718 STEVIA COMPANY, INC. _________________________________________________________________ (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 1940 East Devon Avenue Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 (847) 593-0226 (Address and telephone number of registrant's principal executive office on a principal place of business) __________________________________ EXHIBITS ________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ EXHIBIT INDEX _______________ Page Number Pursuant to Sequential Exhibit Numbering Number Exhibit System _______ ___________ __________ 27 Financial Data Schedule E-1 E-1