Health Canada has authorized the use of stevia, a natural and no calorie sweetener, in foods and beverages in Canada.
The approval follows Health Canada's evaluation of the data supporting the safety and efficacy of steviol glycosides as a sweetener for food and beverages.
Prior to its approval, stevia was only available as a natural health product, and not permitted for use as a food additive in foods and beverages in Canada.
The regulation permitting the use of steviol glycosides as a food additive has now been published as a Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Sweeteners. The modification came into force on 30 November 2012, the day of publication allowing for sale of products formulated with steviol glycosides immediately.
Following the approval, in Canada, steviol glycosides can be used in a wide range of categories, including beverages, breakfast cereals, bakery products, desserts, fruit and nut spreads, confectionary, and table-top sweeteners.
