Food ingredients manufacturer Cargill has applied to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) for an increase in the maximum permitted levels of the effective sweetening chemical in stevia, steviol glycoside. Stevia extracts are gaining converts as a safe alternative to synthetic low-calorie sweetening agents for food and beverages.

The current FSANZ acceptable daily intake (ADI) standard for steviol glycosides is 4mg per kilo of bodyweight.

In a risk assessment published by FSANZ, the body says, “The proposed increases in the maximum permitted levels of steviol glycosides in ice cream and selected beverages are technologically justified and supported by taste trials as providing a more acceptable taste profile to consumers.”

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