NEWSALERT
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration may soon decide the future of a low-calorie, natural substance derived from the stevia plant. Stevia is of the sunflower family and native to subtropical and tropical South America and Central America. The strain of stevia isolated and awaiting a possible stamp of approval is called Rebaudioside A – a pure compound derived from stevia and responsible for stevia’s sweet taste.
The natural sweetening capacity of this pure compound makes it ideal for the food and beverage industries. If rebaudioside is approved, consumers will find it more and more on the ingredient labels of processed foods and beverages.
Currently, FDA only approves stevia-derived sweeteners as a dietary supplement. In the past, FDA has not approved stevia outside this specific purpose because, as the FDA stated, “Available toxicological information on stevia is inadequate to demonstrate its safety as a food additive.”
Though not commonly used in the U.S., stevia originates from Brazil and other areas of South America where it has been used for centuries. Japan’s food regulations have also approved the alternative sweetener, increasing in popularity over the past few decades.
References:
1. www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=6374075&page=1
2. www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia4506.html
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