The industry also like stevia now

The FDA and European authorities for two decades, have nurtured strong doubts about the harmlessness of this natural plant, so they have never authorized the use. The Chicago-based Merisant (Galaxy multinational Monsanto), which sells aspartame for decades as "Equal" all over the world, at one point is crushed by debt. Coca Cola Company dusts off an extract studies of stevia, Rebiana, which for years the FDA and European authorities have shelved. The brand is called Truvia and the new sweetener was developed by Coke with the help of Cargill, the grain company and industrial food and drug administration. Pepsi also has prepared its stevia extract. It's called PureVia and is similar to that of Coca Cola, but developed with Merisant.

For now only scientific trials of multinational ...

According to Morando Soffritti, Director of the Ramazzini Institute of Bologna (which for years deals with studying the link between another sweetener, l’ Aspartame, and the onset of cancer), there are no scientific studies demonstrating the safety of Stevia extracts. “We know the Stevia for years, as a natural alternative to artificial sweeteners”, says the Professor, “but appropriate studies for a number of animals and dose of stevia administered there were ever made. We have suggested starting research on long-term effects of carcinogenicity in rats and mice, to verify the existence of any health risks associated with the plant or the treated product for marketing. We looked for funds to carry out a study of ourselves, but we found them. While those industries spread safety data, but do not explain how they were produced, because there is no law that forces you to publish the results of its investigations”. Efsa, call to speak out about the risks of the sweetener, concluded that the substance is not carcinogenic or genotoxic and presents no risks of toxicity for reproduction or for the development of the organism. The Authority experts, however, stressed that there could be a concern about the use of stevioside in some population groups and, in particular, those with autoimmune disorders or inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. (Sources: Europass; The Lifesaver – Nov. 2011)

Stevia, which financial interests?

The PureCircle Ltd is a multinational corporation that produces 80% of Stevia extracts worldwide. Malaysia's original company, has offices in USA, Switzerland, Australia, Russia, China and Paraguay. Established a joint venture with Tereos Food, gruppo francese agroindustriale cooperativo, specializzato nella prima trasformazione di barbabietola da zucchero, canna da zucchero e cereali. Quest’anno PureCircle stipula una partnership con la Merisant: in practice with PureVia brand, Merisant makes sure the exclusive supply of Stevia to PureCircle. In 2011 720 were launched new stevia based products. Only in the u.s. market for almost 90% of stevia is already used as an ingredient in scented waters, sugar substitutes, fruit juices. With this what I mean? Stevia for years relied on as a natural alternative to artificial sweeteners, now that is entitled becomes new monster? No, well, I don't know. Studies are still unclear. Then the market is in the hands of the usual multinational companies (Cargill and Monsanto) and this makes me suspicious. There seems to be this an oligopoly?

Hold on! You could also affect this?: