IS STEVIA SAFE? REALLY??? What are FDA, WHO, EU, India are saying about Stevia?

Stevia has been recognized for its sweetening properties in Paraguay (South America) since ancient times and used extensively as a sweetener in general food use in the Far East, in particular, Japan, for decades for daily table use.

Well, we have read enough already on stevia’s ancient and traditional use for centuries in different parts of the world and you might have also read it in different websites and newspapers, but let us talk about what the modern era has to say about stevia and its safety.  Here I am trying to talk about only FDA, WHO and European countries because if a thing is accepted there then rest of the world just follows it, with just a matter of time, because such is the intense work that is done on a product’s positives and negatives from all perspectives before it is released out into the market.

Food and Drug Administration (US):  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a body in United States that conducts experiments and analysis on safety of a new drug or food is safe for its citizens before it goes into the market for public use.

In 2009, FDA considered "Rebiana (rebaudioside A) to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS)".

Two 2010 review studies found no health concerns with stevia or its sweetening extracts.  In addition, a 2009 review study found that stevioside and related compounds have anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-diarrheal, diuretic, and immunomodulatory actions.

European Food Safety Authority ( EFSA ): As per EFSA Journal 2010;8(4):1537

SCIENTIFIC OPINION:  Scientific Opinion on the safety of steviol glycosides for the uses as a food additive, FSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS), Parma, Italy

The European Food Safety Authority evaluated the safety of steviol glycosides, extracted from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudianaBertoni plant, as sweetener and expressed its opinion on 10 March 2010.  The Authority established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for steviol glycosides, expressed as steviol equivalents, of 4 mg/kg bodyweight/day. On 11 November 2011, the European Commission allowed the usage of steviol glycosides as a food additive, establishing maximum content levels for different types of foods and beverages.

  

World Health Organization:  World Health Organization (WHO) evaluated experimental studies of stevioside and steviols conducted on animals and humans, and concluded "stevioside and rebaudioside A are not genotoxic in vitro or in vivo and that the genotoxicity of steviol and some of its oxidative derivatives in vitro is not expressed in vivo."  The report also found no evidence of carcinogenic activity.  Furthermore, the report noted "stevioside has shown some evidence of pharmacological effects in patients with hypertension or with diabetes mellitus type 2", but concluded further study was required to determine proper dosage.  The WHO's Joint Experts Committee on Food Additives has approved, based on long-term studies, an acceptable daily intake of steviol glycoside of up to 4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.

India: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in The Gazette of India:Extraordinary Part-III, section 4 of 2011, approved stevioside as sweetener (INS# 960) 

In relation to diabetes, studies have shown stevia to have a possible trophic effect on β-cells of pancreas, to improve insulin sensitivity in rats, and possibly even to promote additional insulin production, helping to reverse diabetes and metabolic syndrome.  Stevia consumed before meals significantly reduced postprandial insulin levels compared to both aspartame and sucrose.  A 2011 review study concluded that stevia sweeteners would benefit diabetic patients.

So, Stevia is absolutely safe in all possible scientific, technical and ethnic terms.

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