Health Canada Approves Stevia for Tabletop and Food Use

Health Canada has issued a notice of modification adding steviol glycosides
derived from the stevia plant to its list of permitted sweeteners. After
concluding a technical consultation published on July 31, 2012, in response to
three separate food additive submissions, Health Canada has evidently agreed
that “available data support the safety and efficacy of steviol glycosides when
used as described.”

The revised list of permitted sweeteners authorizes the use of steviol glycosides as a tabletop sweetener and as a food additive in a number of food categories, including those pertaining to breakfast cereals, confections, nut and peanut spreads, fruit spreads, sauces, beverages, baking mixes, desserts, chewing gum, and condiments. Health Canada has directed food labeling questions about the use of common names for steviol glycosides, such as “purified stevia extract” and “stevia leaf extracts,” to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.