Cargill Receives Official Notification From FDA Supporting the Safety of Truvia(T...( New Natural Sweetener - Truvia(TM) Re...),Health

New Natural Sweetener - Truvia(TM) Rebiana - Market Leader in New Sweetness Category

WAYZATA, Minn., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Cargill received official notification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stating that the agency has no objection to the conclusion of an independent expert panel which reviewed research that rebaudioside A (rebiana), the identity in Truvia(TM) rebiana, is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use as a general purpose sweetener. The FDA letter affirms and supports rebiana's safety and the data used to make that determination.

"Given the extensive research conducted to assure the safety of Truvia(TM) rebiana, Cargill has tremendous confidence in the product. The FDA letter further validates what the science has concluded - that Truvia(TM) rebiana is safe for use for all consumers," said Marcelo Montero, president, Cargill Health & Nutrition. "The FDA brought the appropriate rigor to the process and we are extremely pleased with the news."

Truvia(TM) rebiana is a well-characterized, high-purity ingredient derived from the best tasting part of the stevia leaf. Cargill has spent the past five years developing the product to its specifications and working to produce the ingredient on a commercial scale. The high-purity ingredient - Truvia(TM) rebiana - is consistent in quality and composition. The FDA letter and the safety studies for Truvia(TM) rebiana pertain to only the high-purity products that meet the established criteria and not to all stevia.

In June 2008, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) conducted a multi-year review of all the available scientific and clinical data on high purity steviol glycosides, including rebiana. In July 2008, the Committee determined that high purity, food-grade rebiana is safe for its intended use as a general-purpose sweetener, and established a perm
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