Prohibition of Stevia is Finally Lifted!!!

Well, stevia is finally legal!!! The FDA has proclaimed we can safely use this herb as a sweetener for foods and beverages. Yet, the politics around it continue to emerge. According to Cargill, inc., the manufacturers of Truvia, "Only the rebiana component of the stevia leaf is legal to use as a sweetening agent on a food label". Truvia is made from erythritol, [a carbohydrate found in low glycemic fruits], stevia [a sweet tasting herb free of carbohydrates] and "natural flavors".

On the other hand, President and founder of Wisdom Natural Brands and the SweetLeaf trademark, James May, says "this is just another marketing ploy to spin the truth". May states the entire stevia leaf is now legal to include as a source to sweeten foods and beverages. He also goes on to mention that the process Cargill uses includes an alcohol extraction step which renders the plant as processed, and in my mind... less therapeutic.