Extension Connection

Stevia--How Sweet It Is!
By Janet Hackert, Nutrition Specialist

A not-so-new sweetener recently made its way into the US market. Stevia has been sold in the US for many years as a dietary supplement. As such, it was not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Now that the FDA has declared its active ingredient (rebaudioside A) as Generally Accepted as Safe, it is showing up in such products as table-top sweetener packets like PureVia (from PepsiCo and a subsidiary of Merisant, Whole Earth Sweeteners) and Truvia (from Coca-Cola and Cargill). It is also being used in some flavored waters and lower calorie pop and fruit drinks.

Leaves from the stevia plant are steeped in water, and then processed into crystalline form. These crystals create a sweet taste in the mouth, but are calorie free when eaten. As a sweetener, stevia’s extract is 250-300 times sweeter than sugar. This means only a very tiny amount is needed to add sweetness to a food or beverage.

As with any sweetener, there are challenges to using stevia in food products. It is temperature and acid stable, so it could be used in a variety of products – theoretically. Realistically the challenge will be to deal with its natural bitterness. It also tends to taste sweet, but only after some delay. These will be the challenges the food industry will have to face and overcome. And consumers will need to taste and see for themselves how well they like it.

Another possible challenge in the economy we find ourselves living in is that at this time it is still fairly expensive to use stevia or its active ingredient in foods. So products containing this naturally derived sweetener may be out of the price range of many.

Like with other sugar substitutes, consumers need to watch for any warnings or concerns with this new product. It has been classified as safe, but it doesn’t hurt to try it out slowly to see what if any effect it has on individual taste and digestion.

Source: http://members.ift.org/IFT/Pubs/FoodTechnology/OnlineExclusive/stevia.htm

 (Written March 27, 2009)

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Extension Connection Barb Ubben, Web Manager harrisonco@missouri.edu Last revised: 05/25/04