FSANZ Scientific Opinion on the Natural Sweetener “Steviol Glycosides from New Source”

On October 21, 2020, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) calls for public comment on an existing sweetener, Steviol Glycoside, from a new source in the Food Standards Code for various applications in food.

The topic highlights the following technical opinions on the Natural Sweetener:

• Steviol glycoside is similar to a range of other Steviol glycosides already permitted for use as a food additive in the Food Standards Code but uses a different method of production.
• Steviol glycosides are a type of intense sweetener sourced from the South American plant Stevia rebaudiana bertoni (stevia), but can also be produced by different methods.
• If approved, this Steviol glycoside would be used as a low-calorie sweetener in a range of food products
• A thorough safety assessment has been conducted and pose no public health or safety concerns with this type of Steviol glycoside.

The request of applicant is to permit the use of the steviol glycoside, rebaudioside M, that is produced by fermentation from a genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae, expressing steviol glycoside biosynthesis pathway genes, as a general-purpose sweetening agent and has prepared a draft food regulatory measure.

The draft is open for comments until December 02, 2020.

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