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History-Growth-Types;
Growing Stevia;
Extracting Stevia;
Stevia's Forms
STEVIA'S CONTROVERSYStevia's controversy began in 1991. The FDA (Food & Drug Administration) received an anonymous complaint against this sweet plant saying that there were not enough studies done to prove its safety.As a result, the FDA labelled stevia as unsafe and restricted its import stating that, "toxicological information on stevia is inadequate to demonstrate its safety."
[2]Wikipedia-Stevia
Is "industry pressure" fueling controversy?The FDA politely refuses to tell us who made the anonymous complaint about stevia; and, as stevia has never had negative reports filed against it, marketers and consumers both believe that the FDA acted in response to industry pressure.
The Heart of the Controversy?
Congressman John Kyl, of Arizona, called this action by the FDA,
"a restraint of trade to benefit the artificial sweetener industry."
[2]Wikipedia-Stevia
In 1995 the FDA was forced to revise its ruling by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. Stevia was then allowed, "to be used as a dietary supplement, although not as a food additive." By passing this ruling, the FDA was simultaneously labelling stevia as safe and unsafe, at the same time, depending on how it was sold: safe as a supplement, but not safe as an additive. Stevia supporters regard this action by the FDA as contradictory, to say the least.
Only Positive Reports Received About SteviaStudies done from 2003 to 2005 have revealed many health benefits of stevia.It was found that stevia improved insulin sensitivity in rats and may even promote additional insulin production, helping to reverse diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Also, human studies done in 2003 show that stevia can help reduce hypertension.
[2]Wikipedia-Stevia
... And so, stevia's controversy continues.
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