03.16.11
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has provided two recommendations to the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) regarding the U.S. position on maximum levels in food supplements of two food additives: steviol glycosides and sorbates. The CCFA is part of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the international body created to develop food standards, to protect the health of consumers, and to ensure fair trade practices in the food trade. The maximum levels of steviol glycosides and sorbates are in the process of being established under the Codex General Standard for Food Additives. Specifically, AHPA recommended that CCFA replace a proposed maximum level of 1820 mg/kg for steviol glycosides in food supplements with a level of 10,000 mg/kg. Steviol glycosides are the compounds in stevia leaf (Stevia rebaudiana) responsible for its sweetness. In addition, AHPA supports the Codex proposed maximum level of 2000 mg/kg of sorbates in liquid food supplements, but also recommends establishing a maximum level of 1000 mg/kg of sorbates for non-liquid food supplements. For further information: www.ahpa.org