Spring Break
Sugar substitute undergoes testing
OSHUA MORENO
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: News
A new sweetener may appear in U.S. markets in the near future.
Coca-Cola and Cargill, Inc. are developing Rebiana, a stevia-derived sweetener, with hopes for gaining marketability and approval in the nation and other countries as a natural, zero-calorie sweetener. Reports predict Rebiana will appear in food and beverage products as early as 2009.
Rebiana is derived from the plant Stevia rebaudiana, which contains "intensely sweet substances" called steviol glycosides, which are more than 300 times sweeter than sugar. Although stevia is used in many countries, such as Japan and China, the Food and Drug Administration hasn't approved it in the United States.
"Stevia (Only Sweet) is a 'natural' sweetener with a delayed sweetness and a lingering intensity," wrote Rob Shewfelt, professor of food science and technology. "[Stevia] has been approved as a dietary supplement but not as a food additive because of lack of safety data."
In a letter to former FDA Commissioner David Kessler concerning the 1991 Stevia ban, Arizona congressman John Kyl called the FDA's action "a restraint of trade to benefit the artificial sweetener industry."
Stevia supporters say the circumstances surrounding Stevia's ban were controversial, citing the FDA report as evidence. The controversy stems from FDA's ban on stevia after an anonymous individual filed a complaint. The administration would not release the name.
Popular opinion has turned against artificial sweeteners and toward natural sweeteners.
Corporations have increased the time they spent researching the legalization of Rebiana, which is startling some critics.
According to a 2006 report on sweeteners by the Institute of Food Technologies, "several studies in animals have suggested that steviol glycosides may have adverse effects on the male reproductive system ... the results of the animal studies raise concerns that must be investigated further before a final decision can be reached on the safety of steviol glycosides."
Cargill, Inc. and Coca-Cola say they will "address the identified gaps in the existing science and to provide rigorous data to support future regulatory submissions," the Cargill Web site states.
"We will sell in the markets where regulatory approval exists, and we'll work through the paths for regulatory approval in other countries, including the United States," said Cargill, Inc. spokeswoman Ann Tucker.
Coca-Cola and Cargill, Inc. are developing Rebiana, a stevia-derived sweetener, with hopes for gaining marketability and approval in the nation and other countries as a natural, zero-calorie sweetener. Reports predict Rebiana will appear in food and beverage products as early as 2009.
Rebiana is derived from the plant Stevia rebaudiana, which contains "intensely sweet substances" called steviol glycosides, which are more than 300 times sweeter than sugar. Although stevia is used in many countries, such as Japan and China, the Food and Drug Administration hasn't approved it in the United States.
"Stevia (Only Sweet) is a 'natural' sweetener with a delayed sweetness and a lingering intensity," wrote Rob Shewfelt, professor of food science and technology. "[Stevia] has been approved as a dietary supplement but not as a food additive because of lack of safety data."
In a letter to former FDA Commissioner David Kessler concerning the 1991 Stevia ban, Arizona congressman John Kyl called the FDA's action "a restraint of trade to benefit the artificial sweetener industry."
Stevia supporters say the circumstances surrounding Stevia's ban were controversial, citing the FDA report as evidence. The controversy stems from FDA's ban on stevia after an anonymous individual filed a complaint. The administration would not release the name.
Popular opinion has turned against artificial sweeteners and toward natural sweeteners.
Corporations have increased the time they spent researching the legalization of Rebiana, which is startling some critics.
According to a 2006 report on sweeteners by the Institute of Food Technologies, "several studies in animals have suggested that steviol glycosides may have adverse effects on the male reproductive system ... the results of the animal studies raise concerns that must be investigated further before a final decision can be reached on the safety of steviol glycosides."
Cargill, Inc. and Coca-Cola say they will "address the identified gaps in the existing science and to provide rigorous data to support future regulatory submissions," the Cargill Web site states.
"We will sell in the markets where regulatory approval exists, and we'll work through the paths for regulatory approval in other countries, including the United States," said Cargill, Inc. spokeswoman Ann Tucker.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Paul Gaiser
posted 3/06/08 @ 6:03 AM EST
Congratulations to the industry for considering Stevia as a safe replace to the chemical sweets. Other options should be considered, are Xylitol and Sucralose. (Continued…)
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