EU approval for natural sweeteners from the stevia leaf has moved one step closer after scientists at the European Food Safety Authority gave them a clean bill of health.
EFSA has issued a positive opinion on the safety of steviol glycosides used as food additives following petitions lodged by the European Stevia Association, Cargill and Japanese firm Morita, which are all seeking regulatory approval to sweeten products with stevia in Europe.
EFSA’s opinion is in line with that of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and the US Food and Drug Administration, approving stevia extracts with at least 95% purity of steviol glycosides.
It will now be passed on to the European Commission, with final EU approval expected next year.
Eustas regulatory affairs boss, Carl Horn, said: “This will give the food and beverage manufacturers much more freedom when formulating,than if they had to only use Rebaudioside A.”
PureCircle, which supplies stevia-based sweeteners, said the committee’s decision was an important milestone in the process.
Magomet Malsagov, CEO, said: “We know that there is strong consumer and food and beverage demand for stevia in Europe. We look forward to being allowed to supply that demand before the end of 2011.”
Source: Stevia
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