Stevia is a natural sweetener that has been used for centuries in South America. However, it was banned in the United States and other parts of the world for several decades. This ban was due to legal and political issues that arose during the 20th century.
In the 1960s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a review of stevia and declared it unsafe for human consumption. The FDA based this decision on a study that found stevia could cause genetic mutations in rats.
The FDA's decision was controversial and unpopular with many people who had been using stevia for years. However, the agency continued to ban the use of stevia as a food additive, citing its potential health risks.
For many years, the only way to obtain stevia in the United States was as a dietary supplement. This meant that stevia could not be used as a sweetener in foods or drinks.
The stevia ban was not just a legal issue; it was also a political one. The Sugar Association, which represents sugar producers, lobbied against the use of stevia as a sweetener. Sugar producers had a lot to lose if stevia became widely used, as it was a natural alternative to sugar that had no calories and did not affect blood glucose levels.
Political pressure from the Sugar Association, combined with the FDA's safety concerns, led to the ban on stevia. The ban remained in place for several decades, despite the growing demand for natural sweeteners.
In the early 2000s, the FDA began to re-examine its position on stevia. In 2008, the agency declared that certain stevia extracts were safe for human consumption and granted them Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status.
This opened the door for stevia to become a legal sweetener in the United States. Today, stevia is used as a sweetener in many foods and drinks, and is available in a variety of forms, including liquid drops, powders, and packets.
Yes, the FDA has declared certain stevia extracts to be safe for human consumption. However, some people may be sensitive to stevia and may experience side effects such as bloating, nausea, or dizziness.
Stevia is a natural sweetener that has no calories and does not affect blood glucose levels. It is a good alternative to sugar for people who are watching their weight or managing their blood sugar.
Yes, stevia can be used in baking, but it may require some experimentation to get the proportions right. Stevia is much sweeter than sugar, so you will need to use much less of it to achieve the same level of sweetness. There are many recipes available online that use stevia as a sweetener in baked goods.
