The European Food Safety Authority has decided to lower safe maximum exposure levels for steviol glycosides.
High consumers of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) may be faced with excessive exposure to steviol glycosides, the sweetener’s active compounds. For this reason, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA; Parma, Italy) has decided to lower safe maximum exposure levels for stevia compounds. The reductions relate specifically to non-alcoholic soft drinks, which are believed to be the main contributors of steviol glycosides in both adult and children populations in the United Kingdom.
In reviewing its previous April 2010 safety assessment, EFSA concluded that the safe range for steviol glycoside exposure in the 95th percentile of children-previously set at 1.7–16.3 mg/kg bw/day-should be reduced to 1.0–12.7 mg/kg bw/day.
EFSA’s Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources (ANS Panel) did note, however, that high consumers in several countries were still above the established Acceptable Dietary Intake, set at 4 mg/kg bw/day.
Such changes resulted in revised exposure assessments for 16 different foods, while 15 other foods were removed from application. No changes were observed for 12 other food uses.
With the increase in consumer demand for a natural, zero-calorie sweetener, EFSA’s report also notes that three new food categories have been included: smoked, dried, fermented, and/or salted fish and fish products; soybean sauce; and tabletop sweetener.
The Nutritional Outlook Podcast Episode 29: 2024 Ingredients to Watch
January 31st 2024Nutritional Outlook interviews Scott Dicker, market insights director from market researcher SPINS, about ingredients and product categories nutraceutical and nutrition product manufacturers should watch in 2024.
Judge denies CRN’s motion for preliminary injunction but its lawsuit against NY state will proceed
April 23rd 2024The judge in CRN's lawsuit against NY state's law banning the sale of weight management and muscle building supplements to minors has denied its motion for a preliminary injunction, but determined that CRN has standing to sue on behalf of its members.
Arla Foods to acquired whey nutrition business from Volac International
April 22nd 2024Arla Foods Ingredients has reached an agreement to acquire Volac’s Whey Nutrition business through a purchase of shares in Volac Whey Nutrition Holdings Limited and its subsidiary, Volac Whey Nutrition Limited and Volac Renewable Energy Limited.