New York University professor and public health nutrition author Marion Nestle wonders “Is Stevia really ‘natural?’” in her April 29, 2009, blog Food Politics. The sweetener, she writes, is isolated from the leaves of the stevia plant and therefore the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lets companies assert that it is natural. “We can debate whether a chemical sweetener isolated from Stevia leaves is really ‘natural’ but here’s another problem: Stevia doesn’t taste like sugar,” Nestle writes. “Companies have to fuss with it to cover up its off taste. And, they must do so ‘without detracting from the perceived benefits of its natural status.’ Flavor companies are working like mad to find substances that block Stevia’s bitter taste, mask its off flavors, and extend its sweetness, while staying within the scope of what the FDA allows as ‘natural.’” See foodpolitics.com, April 29, 2009.
Tag Archives artificial sweetener
California EPA’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has published a notice seeking public comment on its latest proposal to add candidate chemicals to the state’s Proposition 65 (Prop. 65) list of chemicals known to the state to pose a cancer or reproductive health risk. Aspartame is among the 38 chemicals OEHHA is considering adding to the list. Comments on the proposal must be submitted by May 5, 2009, and the agency’s Carcinogen Identification Committee will meet May 29 to “provide OEHHA with advice on the prioritization of these chemicals for possible preparation of hazard identification materials.” According to OEHHA, “[n]o listing decisions will be made concerning these chemicals at the May 29 meeting.”
According to a news source, the lawsuit instituted by the Sugar Association to challenge the marketing of the artificial sweetener Splenda® as “made from sugar so it tastes like sugar” has been resolved through a confidential settlement agreement. The trade organization alleged that McNeil Nutritionals’ product promotion deliberately misinformed consumers who would be led to believe that Splenda® contained sugar. A Sugar Association spokesperson reportedly said, “The sugar industry is very satisfied with the settlement and with what they believe will be the outcome of the settlement in terms of marketing of the product.” According to a McNeil spokesperson, the tag line is still in use. See Foodnavigator-usa.com, November 18, 2008.
