Suppliers Welcome Canadian Approval of Stevia

In total, 27 comments were received citing support of Health Canada's proposal to enable the use of steviol glycosides as a table-top sweetener and as a sweetener in certain food categories. Comments were received primarily from food industry associations. One patient group also indicated support.

4 Dec 2012 --- Health Canada has approved the use of stevia in food and beverages. Prior to this approval, stevia was available only within natural health product applications. Stevia is a natural zero calorie sweetener that has a zero glycemic index and can be used by diabetics. The approval means that consumers across Canada will soon be able to enjoy a similar range of stevia sweetened products to those already available in the United States and the European Union where stevia is already approved for use in food and beverages.

Health Canada received three separate food additive submissions that together seek approval for the use of steviol glycosides as a table-top sweetener and a sweetener in a variety of unstandardized foods.

In total, 27 comments were received citing support of Health Canada's proposal to enable the use of steviol glycosides as a table-top sweetener and as a sweetener in certain food categories. Comments were received primarily from food industry associations. One patient group also indicated support.

In several instances, respondents requested that the common names "purified stevia extract" and "stevia leaf extracts" be permitted for use on labels. Some respondents also requested general clarification of the permitted use(s) of steviol glycosides and asked technical questions, all of which have either been directly responded to by the Food Directorate's Bureau of Chemical Safety, or referred to the most appropriate Government of Canada resource. In the case of the common names that would be acceptable for use on food labels, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency can be consulted to obtain information on labelling requirements for food additives.

The above modification came into force the day on which it is published in the List of Permitted Sweeteners.

The Truvia business welcomed the opening of the Canadian market for steviol glycosides as both a tabletop sweetener and as an ingredient in certain food and beverage categories.

“With the Canadian market opening, we can now fulfill consumer demand for Truvia sweetener in Canada and are expecting to be on shelf early 2013,” said Mark Brooks, Global Consumer Products Director for the Truvia brand. “As we continue to lead the category of stevia-based sweeteners in the U.S. and the EU, we are very pleased that we can now share this new choice, calorie-free sweetness from nature.”
 
Cargill, the maker of Truvia sweetener, submitted its scientific dossier on steviol glycosides that includes peer-reviewed, published comprehensive safety data to Health Canada.  The data were pivotal for substantiating the safe use of steviol glycosides in food and beverages.
 
The Truvia brand has fundamentally changed the sweetener category and contributed to the growth of a previously stagnant retail category. Truvia sweetener, the leading stevia-based sweetener, is the #1 sweetener made from a natural source in the US and the only global brand available as a consumer product in 8 countries on four continents. Truvia stevia leaf extract (steviol glycosides) is an ingredient in 50 products in more than 20 countries and continues to drive growth and innovation in beverage and food products around the world.
 
GLG is a Canadian corporation and is privileged to be working with a number of Canadian companies incorporating stevia in the product development process in anticipation of Health Canada's approval. There has been a significant increase in projects using GLG stevia over the last several months since Health Canada has made steps forward in approving stevia for use within food and beverages. Although numerous food and beverage companies have been proactively working with the ingredient prior to this notice, this approval provides the confidence required for many of these organizations to invest further in the R&D and formulation work and expedite these projects.

"GLG has been investing in the stevia supply chain for many years and holds patents in agriculture and processing and is a global leader with its processing capacity and agricultural capabilities. We have invested over $100 million in developing our physical plant assets and agricultural assets over the past 5 years. We have customers using our stevia across the world and we are very proud that as a Canadian company we will now see stevia in widespread use in Canada," said Brian Meadows, President and CFO.

Food additives are regulated in Canada under the Food and Drug Regulations and Marketing Authorizations (MAs) issued by the Minister of Health. Approved food additives and their permitted conditions of use are set out in the Lists of Permitted Food Additives that are incorporated by reference in the MAs. A petitioner can request that Health Canada approve a new additive or a new condition of use for an already-approved food additive by filing a food additive submission with the Department's Food Directorate. Health Canada uses this premarket approval process to determine whether the scientific data support the safety of food additives when used under specified conditions in foods sold in Canada.