Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to permit steviol glycosides as a food additive in Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP).
FSANZ CEO Dr Sandy Cuthbert said a number of intense sweeteners were already permitted to be used in the manufacture of FSMP, but not steviol glycosides.
"Steviol glycosides are food additives, with the technological purpose of an intense sweetener," Dr Cuthbert said.
"FSANZ's safety assessment concludes that the proposed use of steviol glycosides in FSMP is consistent with its typical function as an intense sweetener."
FSANZ previously assessed an extensive toxicological database on steviol glycosides, which identified no safety concerns or a need to amend the Acceptable Daily Intake. This finding was confirmed through assessment of this application.
Dr Cuthbert said separate maximum permitted levels of steviol glycosides would apply to FSMP for very low energy diets, and all other FSMP, to manage potential risks associated with the variations in medical requirements of people requiring specialised diets.
