Merisant Company is a United States manufacturer of artificial sweeteners, including Equal and Canderel.The company was formed from Monsanto Company's tabletop sweetener business, which was acquired by a group of investors in 2000.Merisant is privately held and headquartered in Chicago.The Whole Earth Sweetener Company is a wholly owned subsidiary, which markets low-calorie sweeteners based on erythritol and stevia extract.In January 2009, Merisant Worldwide filed for bankruptcy to restructure and invest in its new stevia-derived sweetener PureVia, emerging the following year.In addition to PureVia, Equal and Canderel, Merisant markets its products under 18 other brands in over 90 countries.