REB-A Approval in France Drawing Closer

Sources say that after the AFSSA gave green light for the use of REB-A in foodstuff, it is only a formal procedure until France will approve it nationwide within the next few months. The D.G.G.C.R.F (French Ministry) is currently working on a draft for the approval of Reb-A in purest form for use in foodstuff.

11/02/09 German Stevia Company Steviana GmbH, a pioneer and specialist in trading with stevia products in Europe, recently learned of an opinion issued by the AFFSA (French Food Safety Agency), which will pave the way for the approval of REB-A, the premium sweetening ingredient made of the leaves of the Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni plant, in France, and later-on in Europe. The latest decision has been publish online, and may be found in French under: http://www.afssa.fr/Documents/AAAT2008sa0321.pdf

Sources say that after the AFSSA gave green light for the use of REB-A in foodstuff, it is only a formal procedure until France will approve it nationwide within the next few months. The D.G.G.C.R.F (French Ministry) is currently working on a draft for the approval of Reb-A in purest form for use in foodstuff.

Ms. Gaquerel at the D.G.G.C.R.F pointed out to FoodIngredientsFirst.com that the approval will only be for Reb-A and not for the stevia plant. “We have sent our dossier through after the AFSSA concluded that Reb-A is safe. Once this comes through there will now be temporary authorization for two years as set about in the Additive Directive Article 5, which allows national authorization for 2 years.”

Ms. Gaquerel stressed that the ingredient is not authorized yet, as they are waiting for an opinion on the draft authorization, which is planned to be released at the end of April. The text could be signed before the summer, in May or June, she said. If the ingredient then goes through European evaluation, it will be approved at the end of those two years, if not “it will hit a dead end.” At a European level, Reb-A is being assessed by the European Food Safety Authority, with European authorization possibly coming next year or the year after, she explained.

Steviana GmbH is a German company distributing stevia extracts and products world-wide, from Essen, Germany, since 2003. It is already supplying interested manufacturers and societies who would like to test and evaluate stevia in their products. The company is currently looking for business partners and investors in order to expand its business and prepare for the opening of the European Market. "We look forward to finally see stevia be legalized in the European Union. The French decision will be an important milestone, and we fully expect the EFSA to decide in a similar way within the next 12 month. The FDA approval seems to have encouraged the French regulatory bodies to approve REB-A. We are already prepared as we can provide purest REB-A (97% and higher).", said Mr Michael Tietz, Director of Marketing and Sales of Steviana GmbH.