Executive Summary

Coca-Cola and Cargill say research published in the Food and Chemical Toxicology journal May 15 "clearly establishes the safety of rebiana," the common name for high-purity Rebaudioside A, derived from the stevia plant, to be used as a natural sweetener for beverages and foods. The firms partnered last year and developed rebiana as a natural, calorie-free ingredient and plan to market it as Truvia under Cargill (1"The Tan Sheet" June 11, 2007, p. 14). Stevia is sold in the U.S. today as a dietary supplement, but is not approved in the country for use in food because of a lack of safety data, according to a May 15 release...