What are the guidelines in Canada for the use of stevia and its extracts in natural health products?
The Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) of Health Canada has adopted new guidelines for the use of stevia and its extracts in natural health products. The new guidelines are based on Health Canada’s review of international regulation and scientific evidence for their safety and efficacy. NHPD’s new guidelines are in accordance with the recommendations established by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) of the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization in June, 2008. As a non-medicinal ingredient: As a sweetener or flavour enhancer, the quantity of stevia used should be in accordance with the conditions of the Good Manufacturing Practices and should not exceed 4 mg steviol/kg of body weight per day. As a medicinal ingredient: Natural health products containing stevia and its extracts as a medicinal ingredient in excess of 4 mg steviol/kg of body weight per day will have to provide evidence that the product is safe and effective, and will r
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