European Approval of Stevia & Diabetes Awareness Month

The GSI November Spotlight brings exciting news. Stevia is now approved in Europe, bringing its no calorie sweetness to foods and beverages in the region. The EU Commission’s final regulatory approval was fittingly announced on World Diabetes Day, November 14th.

European Approval of Stevia on November 12th

The European Commission’s final regulatory approval of stevia as a sweetening ingredient for food and beverages came just days before the world observed World Diabetes Day, on November 14th. Stevia, specifically referenced as steviol glycosides, can now provide no calorie, zero glycemic load sweetness to foods and beverages in the EU. This stevia milestone brings the great taste of stevia to the over 495 million people in the EU. Stevia-sweetened foods, beverages and table top sweeteners can be expected to launch after December 2, 2011, when the EU regulatory approval will be enforced.¹  Read more about the European Commission’s approval.

Diabetes Awareness Month

In many countries, November marks a month focused on promoting diabetes awareness and tackling the global diabetes epidemic. World Diabetes Day (WDD) is internationally recognized and celebrated on November 14th. Started by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1991, WDD commemorates the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, discovered insulin as a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients in 1922.²

Globally, there are 366 million people living with diabetes. The disease is responsible for 4.6 million deaths each year.2 The WHO projects that diabetes-related deaths will double between 2005 and 2030. Diabetes is also among the top ten causes of disability, resulting in complications like blindness and lower limb amputations. These alarming numbers result in over 465 billion dollars in global healthcare spending on diabetes.³

These figures include both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes, occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes, also called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes, is caused by the ineffective use of insulin by the body. Type 2 diabetes is associated with the modifiable risk factors of excess body weight and physical inactivity. Healthy lifestyle habits of healthy body weight maintenance, at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days, and a healthful diet including three to five servings of fruits and vegetables daily and a reduced sugar and saturated fat intake, have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying onset of type 2 diabetes.

Stevia—A Sweet Solution for People with Diabetes

Stevia, the natural origin sweetener has zero glycemic load and is safe for children and adults with diabetes. Using stevia as a sweetener as part of low-glucose diet can help people manage blood glucose levels while still enjoying the sweet taste of their favorite foods and beverages. Read more on stevia for people with diabetes. Stevia can also help reduce calorie and sugar levels in the daily diet to help people achieve healthy lifestyle commitments.

1. EU Commission Regulation "Commission Regulation (EU) No 1130/2011 of 11 November 2011 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives by establishing a Union list of food additives approved for use in food additives, food enzymes, food flavourings and nutrients" http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm Accessed November 21 2011

2. International Diabetes Federation, Annual Report 2010 http://www.idf.org/publications/annual-report-2010 Accessed on November 14, 2011

3. World Health Organization Report on Non-Communicable Diseases, Diabetes Fact Sheet http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs312/en/