FDA Allows STEVIA FSE GRAS Status

BLOOMINGDALE, Ill.FDA issued a No Objection" letter to NOW Health Group regarding the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status of its HealthCo Divisions natural sweetener, STEVIA FSE. GRAS status allows manufacturers to add Stevia FSE in a variety of foods and beverages.

As explained in the INSIDER article, Lets Get Functional," FDA does not approve" GRAS ingredients; rather, companies can voluntarily submit a notification of self-affirmed GRAS status. FDA can then reject or issue a letter saying it has no objection" to the marketing of the ingredient as GRAS.

STEVIA FSE was self-affirmed GRAS in May 2010 following a comprehensive review of chemistry, safety and toxicology data by an independent panel of scientists.  The sweetener is treated with natural enzymes, designed to provide a better-rounded sweetening profile and is extracted from the whole Stevia leaf. NOP-certified organic and kosher, Stevia FSE is 60-100 times sweeter than sugar (sucrose).   

Now said it can be used in baked goods, milk products, breakfast cereals, cheese, egg products, processed vegetables, soft candy, soups, snack foods, non-alcoholic beverages, imitation dairy products, hard candy, chewing gum, granulated sugar, and seasonings and flavors.

Healthco sells STEVIA FSE as a food ingredient as bulk powder, in private label consumer sizes and food-service bulk packets.