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FDA may approve Stevia
By united press international
Submitted by [deleted]
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December 14, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Health News
FDA may approve stevia-based sweeteners
Published: Nov. 30, 2008 at 4:18 PM
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CHICAGO, Nov. 30 (UPI) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration may approve zero-calorie sweeteners derived from a shrub called stevia, analysts say.
Major U.S. beverage companies — PepsiCo Inc. (NYSE:PEP) and Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE:KO) — want to market stevia-sweetened products once the sweetener gets approval, the Chicago Tribune said. Agribusiness giant Cargill Inc. already has a stevia-based sweetener in grocery stores, and Chicago-based Merisant Co., maker of the popular sweetener Equal, soon will do the same, the newspaper said.
But some public watchdogs, including the Center for Science in the Public Interest, are raising concerns about potential cancer-causing properties of stevia. The center is urging the FDA to do more testing before granting approval, the Tribune said.
Native to South America and already used as a sweetener there, Japan developed stevia-based sweeteners several decades ago, and Australia has recently approved it.
But stevia sweeteners are still banned in much of Europe.
As a sweetener it developed an unpleasant licorice taste that researchers have had trouble erasing, the Tribune said.
© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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i think i would try it :) Stevia hmmm
I've been using Stevia products for several years and I've never experienced a licorice taste, nor a bitter taste! I'm wondering if people who do experience that are using too much of it at one time? It is so sweet and takes so little to get the same level of sweetness as sugar, I can understand how it would be possible to get too much! But now that Stevia is available in several forms, even a granular form(blend) so that it's easy to bake with since it's equal 1 cup/for 1 cup of sugar, and it would still be too easy to use too much! We all know why FDA is dragging its feet - the sugar industry has a powerful presence in Washington, D.C. and a very strong political influence regarding decisions that are made. I think too many people are already using Stevia regularly and the real power is with the people who spend their money for what they want!!!!
Great strides have been made I see! I use stevia and now there is also a new product that is called Truvia that costs a little less. I have not opened my box yet, but when I do I will add it to the product review section. I am so glad the FDA is looking into this.
This would be great if its approved soon
i got it gnc and health food stores also have it.it is rather high but goes a long way.