Coca-Cola Requests Indian Government's Approval For Use of Natural Additive Stevia

Coca-Cola’s business unit in India, together with Malaysian company Pure Circle, has applied to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for authorization to use stevia, a sweetener derived from the plant stevia rebaudiana, in its products. A first for an Indian company, the request covers the use of stevial glycosides, by itself or in combination with related nutritive sweeteners sucrose, glucose, and fructose, in 15 product categories. FSSAI is also set to rule on requests for the use of additives Acesulfame potassium and sucralose or Splenda as di-blends. The CODEX Alimentarius, an international agency established by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization, is still to approve the use of stevia, which critics argue is better than other additives.