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Stevioside in Snacks
Background
Acting on information, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) conducted a blitz
operation recently to check on stevioside in food products.
In Hong Kong, according to the Sweeteners in Food Regulations, Cap. 132U,
stevioside is not permitted for use in food. There have been six prosecutions
between May 2003 and March 2004 against products containing stevioside.
The traders concerned were fined from $2,000 to $8,000. Furthermore, 23
food samples taken from January 2005 to September 2006 were analyzed for
the presence of stevioside during the routine food surveillance programme.
The results were satisfactory.
Action Taken by the CFS
The CFS has checked the labels of some 350 samples of a variety of food
products (mainly Japanese snacks) in seven retail outlets for compliance.
Of them, 10 food samples suspected to contain stevioside were collected
for testing. Results showed that three samples of Japanese noodle snacks
products from a retail outlet in Kowloon City contained stevioside. The
products also did not have Chinese / English product names.
CFS has asked the retailers and importers to withdraw the concerned products
and marked and sealed the remaining stocks of the concerned products for
disposal.
What is Stevioside?
Stevioside, a major component of steviol glycoside, is a sweetener extracted
from plants. The Joint Food and Agriculture Organization / World Health
Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) evaluated the
safety of steviol glycoside in 2004. There is no safety concern upon normal
consumption. However, JECFA raised concern about its potential pharmacological
effects on certain population sub-groups such as persons suffering from
diabetes and hypertension. JECFA therefore considered that more scientific
data is required for further evaluation in 2007. The Codex Alimentarious
Commission has not yet established any standard for steviol glycoside
in foods.
Steviol glycoside is permitted to be used as sweeteners in food in countries
like China, Japan and Korea. However, it is not permitted to be used in
Australia, Canada, EU, Singapore and USA as a sweetener.
Advice to Consumer
1. Stevioside is not a permitted sweetener in Hong Kong;
2. However, there is no safety concern upon normal consumption by a healthy
person;
3. Purchase food products from reputable sources.
Advice to Trade
1. Purchase food products from reputable sources;
2. Ensure that the products comply with local regulations, including
food additives and labeling requirements.
Further information
Further information about stevioside in food can be obtained from the
following webpages:
Centre for Food Safety
22 December 2006
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