Stevia at last secures EU approval

Food and drink manufacturers in the EU can now use the sweetener stevia in their products after the ingredient got the green light from Brussels. But does stevia have potential or has the headlines been driven by hype?

EUROPE: EU approves stevia sweetener use

11 November 2011

The European Commission has formally approved stevia sweeteners for use within the European Union for the first time.

Comment: PureCircle results cause misgivings over stevia

19 September 2011

After stevia producer PureCircle today (19 September) reported an annual loss, industry observers may question whether the alternative sweetener is living up to the hype.

just the answer - Cargill and ABF's UK table-top sweetener launch

26 January 2011

Brussels has yet to fully clear the use of natural sweetener stevia in the EU but already suppliers are preparing the launch of products including the ingredient. Cargill and Associated British Foods are lining up the introduction of Truvia - a table-top sweetener made with stevia - in the UK and, in this month's just the answer, Dean Best met with executives from both sides to discuss their plans.

In the spotlight: stevia, the intense sweetener

24 September 2010

With the pull of consumer demand for diet or low-sugar foods and the push of regulatory pressure to reformulate products, food and beverage manufacturers are increasingly looking to intense sweeteners - and the new kid on the block, at least in key markets like the US and Europe - is stevia.

just the answer - William Mitchell, PureCircle

30 July 2010

The food industry is paying increasing attention to stevia, a natural, zero-calorie sweetener that its suppliers claim can help manufacturers meet growing demand for healthier products. Stevia suppliers like UK-listed PureCircle are securing contracts with more of the food industry's leading names and today (30 July) the company's CFO William Mitchell talked to Dean Best about the development and potential of the ingredient.