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Steviol glycosides are an extract of the herb Stevia rebaudiana that are 250-300 times sweeter than sucrose. Stevia rebaudiana belongs to the chrysanthemum family and grows wild in regions of Paraguay and Brazil. Steviol glycosides, sometimes referred to as stevia, stevioside, stevia extract or stevia sugar, were approved for use as a high intensity sweetener by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) on the 9th October 2008. Stevia Use Abroad
Another Aspartame?Many concerns about artificial sweeteners, particularly aspartame, have been raised in recent times - most of these concerns are unwarranted. Still, is it possible that steviol glycosides are something to be concerned about too? The Joint Expert Committee has undertaken a rigorous review of the evidence surrounding the safety of steviol glycosides, as has FSANZ. In Japan stevia has been used as the main form of artificial sweetener for the past 30 years without any reports of adverse health effects in the population. What's more, although stevia does not have 'Generally Recognised As Safe' status in the US (status that would allow its use in food) it is sold as a 'dietary supplement' in the US. Foods That Stevia Is Approved For Use In
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While new to the New Zealand and Australian food supplies, stevia has been an approved food additive in Japan, China, Russia, Korea, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Indonesia and Israel for a number of years. Interestingly, though, stevia isn't approved for use as a food additive in either the United States of America or the European Union. Something that may concern many New Zealand and Australian consumers. However, FSANZ says the key reason for the lack of approval by the US and EU is the same reason the application process was delayed in NZ and Australia - a lack of information from manufacturers in regards to public health and safety concerns. This information has since been provided to FSANZ and following the designation by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (a United Nations and World Health Organisation committee) of an 'Acceptable Daily Intake' level for stevia in June 2008, FSANZ deemed that steviol glycosides could be used in the NZ and Australian food supply.
