16/01/09 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given the green light for stevia to be used in food and drink applications after agreeing that the ingredient poses no health risks. The agency has granted the all-natural sweetener status as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) after Cargill and Merisant Company achieved a process called "Self-Determination of GRAS Status".

Stevia has been popular overseas for years, but until just recently, the various products containing it have been sequestered in the dietary supplement aisle of most American grocery stores. The FDA's reversal of the ban on stevia will open the floodgates to a new generation of products containing the all-natural sweetener, making them more readily accessible to the public. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have both confirmed plans to release products containing stevia in brands under their respective ownership such as Odwalla. Meanwhile, stevia-based sweeteners have been released for tabletop use in coffee shops and restaurants across America to sample public response.

Steviva Brands located in the Pacific Northwest, has offered an array of stevia-based products, for over a decade. The latest being Fructevia an all-natural proprietary blend of fructose (natural sugar), fruit fiber, Stevia Rebaudiana and Magnesium Carbonate, Fructevia boasts being the first and only "good for you" sweetener. Fructevia does not affect blood sugar levels in the same way as refined sugar (sucrose), making it safe for use by those facing type I and type II diabetes restrictions. Low-carb and low-glycemic dieters, as well as those suffering from hypoglycemia, will also be able to enjoy the many benefits of Fructevia with zero risks to their health.

The FDA's recent approval will grant Fructevia a place on the shelf next to alternative sweeteners such as Sweet and Low and Splenda . Other brands in the Steviva roster are an all-natural Stevia Powder and Steviva Blend, which is stevia blended with an all-natural fermented grain extract called Erythritol.