Stevia is a South American herb that has been used as a sweetener by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay for hundreds of years. The leaves of this small, green Stevia rebaudiana plant have a delicious and refreshing taste that can be 30 times sweeter than sugar.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Sugar policy reform bills attract industry support

Sugar policy reform is back on the US legislative agenda, as two new bills that aim to end the sugar price support program have attracted broad food industry support.

The Free Market Sugar Act was introduced by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) and Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) on Wednesday, a week after Senator Dick Lugar (R-IN) introduced his Free Sugar Act of 2011.
The American Sugar Alliance, which represents the interests of sugar growers, claims that US sugar policy“hasn’t cost taxpayers a dime since 2001” – but Lugar says that the policy creates a hidden sugar tax.
“Every American business that makes candies, ice cream, cookies, bread, or sells lattes, sandwiches, or cupcakes, is paying more than twice the world market price for sugar because of this hidden tax,”“American consumers pay for this tax, while more and more sugar users are being driven out of business because of off-shore producers who don’t have to pay high prices dictated by the US government.” Lugar said.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

3rd World Conference on Stevia 2011

The World Stevia Organisation (WSO) is pleased to inform you about the 3rd World Conference on Stevia 2011: The Challenge of Taste, which will be held in Paris in May 25, 2011.
We attract your attention that you still have few to benefit of early bird registration fees.

Why a specific conference about Taste and After-Taste of Stevia?
During the 1st Conference on Stevia held in Paris in May 2010, and the Second World congress on Stevia and Stevia Growing held in Malta last October, all industrials seemed interested to use Stevia as a new natural sweetner. However, one big “problem” was detected by consumers: the taste and after-taste.
The main question remained unanswered was “How to limit and hide the after-taste of Stevia in Beverages and Products?”. The consumers need a neutral taste adapted to his culture.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Stevia - The Zero Calorie All Natural Sweetner

Stevia is a South American herb that has been used as a sweetener by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay for hundreds of years. The leaves of this small, green Stevia rebaudiana plant have a delicious and refreshing taste that can be 30 times sweeter than sugar.
Stevia has many excellent properties. The body does not metabolize the sweet glycosides from the stevia leaf or any of its processed forms - so there is no caloric intake. Stevia doesn't adversely affect blood glucose levels and may be used freely by diabetics.