STEVIA FSE Granted GRAS Status

BLOOMINGDALE, Ill.HealthCo, a division of NOW Health Group, has been granted GRAS status for its STEVIA FSE for use as a food ingredient in bulk powder, private label consumer sizes and foodservice bulk packets.

STEVIA FSE, which uses whole leaf stevia, is enzymatically treated to remove bitter aftertaste and provides a better-rounded sweetening profile that is ideal for numerous food applications. The natural enzyme treatment enhances its organoleptic properties. Stevia FSE is 60-100 times sweeter than sugar (sucrose).  Stevia FSE is also NOP Certified Organic and kosher.

Our knowledge of the natural products consumer made it imperative that our stevia ingredient be a far more natural offering than the products which are starting to mainstream, said Michael Lelah, technical director. GRAS status makes our branded whole leaf stevia extract available to manufacturers of food products now.