FDA CRACKS DOWN ON NATURAL HERBAL SWEETENER, STEVIA

[Guest guest]

Shared by a friend. What does Ayurveda say about stevia? I thought

you all might be interested to know this seemingly very healthy

plant/sweetner so valuable for diabetics and others with blood sugar

issues is apparently at risk in US. - Ysha

 

The FDA, under pressure from the powerful sugar and artificial

sweetener lobby, has issued a warning letter to Celestial Seasonings

for using a popular natural sweetener in some of its teas. The letter

indicates the FDA classifies the herb stevia as " unsafe " , even though

it is a main staple sweetener in countries like China and Japan and

has been used without negative health effects by indigenous people for

at least 400 years. In the FDA's letter to Celestial Seasonings, the

agency aggressively condemns the use of the herb, noting that

" enforcement action may include seizure of violative products " . The

FDA claims no evidence has been provided to the agency regarding the

herb's safety, but federal records reveal the FDA has received over a

thousand scientific studies regarding stevia, and all but one of them

verify the safety of the herb. In sharp contrast, nearly half of the

studies provided to the FDA regarding the artificial sweetener

aspartame, previously owned by Monsanto, indicate serious health

concerns, yet it is one of the most commonly used (and one of the most

profitable) sweeteners in the U.S. The OCA has also verified the FDA

has strengthened enforcement of stevia imports at the borders. Last

week, the agency updated a document that mandates detainment of

imported food products containing stevia.

 

Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7140.cfm

 

NOTE: I have used stevia for the past three years and it is the ONLY

sweetener I care to use - except for a bit of maple syrup now and

then. (Jeff D)

 

NOTE 2: This same FDA approves cigarettes and canola oil for human

consumption - yet finds the time to go after Stevia.