A Clarification About Stevia
Want a healthier, plant-based version of this classic summer treat? Read on to get the link to the recipe!
Something was not right. I looked at the packaging on my favorite protein powder to see how it described the Stevia content and saw “stevia leaf extract.” That worried me, being that in my post How to Approach the Sugar Epidemic I stated that only stevia leaf glycosides were approved by the FDA for food use. And that anything other than that, like stevia leaf extract, was not and could cause unwanted side effects.
Ok, I had a bit of a panic, as my whole family used the protein powder and loves it.
As it turns out, I worried for no good reason; my not-so-inner chemistry nerd went sleuthing. I went to the grocery store and looked at the ingredients of actual Stevia and guess what I saw? None other than stevia leaf extract. Well bust my buttons, WT Heck?
The obvious next step was to consult Google. And, believe it or not, there is actually an International Stevia Council and they have a website. And yes, it is totally nerdy and bookmarked on my laptop. In a nutshell, my mistake in my post was misplacement of the word “crude.” Crude stevia leaf extract is not approved by the FDA and in my writing I stated that stevia leaf extract (minus the word “crude”) was not. This is misleading, because properly obtained extracts are given the thumbs up. According to the website:
In order for stevia leaf extracts to be used in food, these extracts must strictly adhere to established specifications of identification and purity established by national and global food safety authorities.
And the article goes on to describe just how those glycosides need to be extracted in order to be pure and safe. To indulge your inner nerd, you can read more here.
So, Stevia is good to go (it better be, right?). I know my protein powder is as well, as the company is in compliance with a long list of quality standards. If all is done to the highest health standards, your products will say “stevia leaf extract” and this apparently implies purified stevia leaf extracts, which are given the thumbs up by the FDA. Anything with crude extracts and crude stevia leaf should be avoided. Check your fav products with plant-based stevia to be sure and if the word purified is absent, double check with the manufacturer and consult with the International Stevia Council at globaloffice@internationalsteviacouncil.org.
Enjoy a delicious “Vegan Gluten-Free Strawberry Shortcake” with “Coconut Whipped Cream”!
minimalistbaker.com/perfect-strawberry-shortcake-vegan-gf/
minimalistbaker.com/how-to-make-coconut-whipped-cream/
