Stevia and FSSAI

Four years after the scientific panel for food additives at the country’s apex food regulator first recommended its usage, stevia, a natural sweetener, has finally received a go-ahead from the latter.

In a notification dated November 13, 2015 the F

ood Safety & Standards Authority of India has permitted its use in a range of products. This includes carbonated water, dairy-based desserts and flavored drinks, yogurts, ready-to-eat cereals, fruit nectar and jams, among others.The move, say experts, should pave the way for key users of sugar, including ice-cream, beverage and confectionery makers, to consider stevia as an alternative to sugar.

FSSAI has recommended up to 200 mg a kg of steviol glycoside in carbonated water, soft drink concentrates, yogurts, fruit nectar, dairy-based flavored drinks and non-carbonated water-based beverages.

Dairy-based desserts and ready-to-eat cereals may have up to 330 and 350 mg a kg, respectively, of the compound. Jams, jellies and marmalades may have up to 360 mg a kg.