The worldwide meals commonplace security authority, Codex Alimentarius, has adopted the Framework for Steviol Glycosides, which encompasses 4 applied sciences used within the manufacturing of steviol glycosides. These embody: stevia leaf extract, steviol glycosides from bioconversion, steviol glycosides from fermentation and glucosylated steviol glycosides.
“The Framework method ensures that enterprise operators can put steviol glycosides produced by way of their numerous applied sciences available on the market with out submitting new dossiers, offered they fulfill the outlined standards and specs per expertise,” explains Maria Teresa Scardigli, government director of the International Stevia Council (Washington, DC; ISC), in a press launch. “That is based mostly on the authorities’ overview of the manufacturing expertise, making certain the very best degree of security, purity and high quality is achieved for the ultimate steviol glycoside ingredient put available on the market.”
“The brand new Codex framework is well timed as the advantages of steviol glycosides, the candy element within the stevia leaf, match into the broader well being and wellness narrative, which is one thing customers wish to see extra of, and international meals and beverage producers need larger entry to,” mentioned Luca Giannone, senior vice chairman of gross sales for Sweegen (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA), in a press launch. Sweegen, a member of ISC, represented the bioconversion expertise included within the framework.
“With this framework, most nations on the planet will steadily undertake this commonplace, and our international stevia footprint can broaden extra quickly into nations the place we’re looking for approval for providing our pure, clear, and great-tasting Signature Bestevia components produced by bioconversion,” added Giannone. Technological developments, resembling bioconversion, produce a clear new era of sweetener molecules resembling Rebaudiosides M, D, and E, initially present in small portions within the stevia leaf. These molecules supply a greater sensory profile in comparison with first-generation components resembling Rebaudiosides A. Beneath the brand new framework, all of Sweegen’s rebaudiosides are authorized by Codex.
With the adoption of the brand new framework, producers could have extra choices on using stevia and the flexibleness to make use of stevia from completely different manufacturing applied sciences, relying on the formulation. Drinks proceed to be the main class for brand spanking new product launches with stevia, based on ISC, however sports activities vitamin, dietary supplements, dairy, snacks, and confectionary are seeing important development. Rising new classes are desserts, ice cream, bakery merchandise, and cereals. The framework additionally opens extra markets for using stevia. In keeping with ISC, there was a 35% enhance of latest product launches with stevia in areas resembling Jap Europe, Australasia, Africa, and the Center East between 2011 and 2021.
