IADSA Welcomes Codex Adoption of Steviol Glycosides

At its meeting in Geneva, CAC, the highest decision-making body in Codex, accepted IADSA’s scientific and technological justification to set the level of Steviol Glycosides (INS 960) in food supplements at 2,500 mg/kg.

7/12/2011 --- The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) this week agreed to adopt the use of Steviol Glycosides as an additive in food supplements at levels proposed by the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA).

At its meeting in Geneva, CAC, the highest decision-making body in Codex, accepted IADSA’s scientific and technological justification to set the level of Steviol Glycosides (INS 960) in food supplements at 2,500 mg/kg.

The additive is now officially part of the Codex General Standard for Food Additives, with which all of Codex’s 180-plus member countries comply.

Due to the reservations of the European Union during the Codex additives committee meeting earlier this year however, this level and use only applies to chewable food supplements.

“We are delighted with the result,” said David Pineda Ereño, IADSA’s Regulatory Affairs Director. “There was enough scientific and technological justification to prevent the deletion of steviol glycosides. Deleting key additives from the General Standard for Food Additives list and adopting very low levels could create completely unnecessary technical problems for manufacturers.”

“We are pleased to be able to provide scientific and technical research that contributes to Codex’s work,” he continued. “It is our priority to ensure that the adopted levels are both safe for consumers and consistent with those widely used by the global food supplement industry.”