Coca-Cola and Cargill Inc., after years of development, with 24 patents, will soon sell rebiana (stevia) in drinks and foods: Murray 2007.05.31

Coca-Cola and Cargill Inc., after years of development, with 24
patents, will soon sell rebiana (stevia) in drinks and foods: Murray
2007.05.31
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1438

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1180..._whats_news_us

As of 11:53:00 AM EDT Thu, May 31, 2007

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Coke, Cargill Aim For a Shake-Up In Sweeteners
By Lauren Etter and Betsy McKay
Word Count: 1,753
Companies Featured in This Article: Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson,
Archer-Daniels-Midland

Coca-Cola Co. and Cargill Inc. have teamed up to market a new calorie-
free natural sweetener they hope will appeal to health-conscious
consumers and shake up the global sweeteners market, but they face
serious regulatory and production challenges.

The two companies' ambitious push to develop the new product,
tentatively named rebiana, is the latest step in the soft-drink
industry's decades-long quest for the "holy grail" of sweeteners --
one that sweetens products naturally, without adding calories, but
also tastes good. Sucralose, the most recent breakthrough, was
introduced in the U.S. in 2000 under the brand name Splenda.

Today, the multibillion-dollar global ... [ Sales to launch in 6 -9
months ]
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http://business.timesonline.co.uk/to...cle1864667.ece

Times Online
May 31, 2007
Coke teams up with Cargill to launch new sweetener
Giants of food and drinks aim to develop their own rival to NutraSweet
and Tate & Lyle's sucralose to meet health demand
Robert Lindsay

Coca-Cola and food ingredient giant Cargill have teamed up to market a
new calorie-free natural sweetener they hope will shake up the global
market currently dominated by Tate & Lyle's sucralose and Splenda and
US company NutraSweet.

The sweetener, tentatively named rebiana, will be based on the Stevia
plant native to Paraguay but increasingly used as a health food in the
Far East and Hollywood, The Wall Street Journal reports today.

Coca-Cola has filed 24 patents applications in the past week around
extracting the tastiest parts of the Stevia plant and is seeking
exclusive rights to develop and market rebiana for use in drinks,
while Cargill, one of the world's largest agribusiness and trading
companies, owned by the founding Cargill and MacMillan families, will
market it for use in food such as yoghurt, cereals, ice cream and
sweets.

It has spent the past three years developing Stevia plantations in
China, Paraguay and Argentina.

However, the two companies acknowledge that they face regulatory
troubles since Stevia has been banned in the US and EU after a 1985
medical study linked the plant to liver problems.

They aim to market it first in countries where Stevia is not banned,
such as Japan and South America, and Cargill seeks to help regulatory
approval in the US by sponsoring more scientific studies.

Coca-Cola has been attempting to develop its own sweetener from the
Stevia plant for the past 10 years.

The beverages giant has resisted using Tate & Lyle's sucralose
sweetener in its diet fizzy drinks, it is thought because it believes
it leaves an aftertaste.

Instead it mainly used NutraSweet, made by the Chicago company of the
same name.

Tate & Lyle last week blamed a failure to penetrate the vast US
carbonated diet drinks market for disappointing sales of Splenda, its
artificial sweetener, which make up 20 per cent of group profits.

Iain Ferguson, the chief executive, admitted that US sales of Splenda,
had been "less than we had hoped for" during the year to March 30.

"We have not yet cracked any of the major lines there," he said and
warned that profits growth from the product would be only modest in
the current year.

Cargill is the second-largest privately held business in the United
States after Koch Industries.

In 2006, Cargill's sales of $75.2 billion would have ranked it 18th on
the Fortune 500 list.

It handles a quarter of all US grain exports, ships more than 6
million tonnes of sugar a year, and is a world leader in cocoa and
chocolate.

Through Degussa, it also has leading positions in ingredients, such as
salt, flour, malt, sweeteners, starches.

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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNMmessage/1437
stevia to be approved and cyclamates limited by Food Standards
Australia New Zealand: JMC Geuns critiques of two recent stevia
studies by Nunes: Murray 2007.05.29

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1427
more from The Independent, UK, Martin Hickman, re ASDA
(unit of Wal-Mart Stores)
and Marks & Spencer ban of aspartame, MSG, artificial chemical
additives and dyes to prevent ADHD in kids: Murray 2007.05.16
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/hea...cle2548747.ece

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1426
ASDA (unit of Wal-Mart Stores WMT.N) and Marks & Spencer
will join Tesco and also Sainsbury to ban and limit aspartame,
MSG, artificial flavors dyes preservatives additives, trans fats,
salt "nasties" to protect kids from ADHD: leading UK media:
Murray 2007.05.15

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1271
combining aspartame and quinoline yellow, or MSG and
brilliant blue, harms nerve cells, eminent C. Vyvyan
Howard et al, 2005 education.guardian.co.uk,
Felicity Lawrence: Murray 2005.12.21

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1277
50% UK baby food is now organic -- aspartame or MSG
with food dyes harm nerve cells, CV Howard 3 year study
funded by Lizzy Vann, CEO, Organix Brands,
Children's Food Advisory Service: Murray 2006.01.13

formaldehyde as a potent unexamined cofactor in cancer research --
sources include methanol, dark wines and liquors, aspartame, wood and
tobacco smoke: IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks
to Humans implicate formaldehyde in #88 and alcohol drinks in #96:
some related abstracts: Murray 2007.05.15
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1417

aspartame (methanol, formaldehyde) toxicity research summary: Rich
Murray 2007.05.29
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1404

One liter aspartame diet soda, about 3 12-oz cans,
gives 61.5 mg methanol,
so if 30% is turned into formaldehyde, the formaldehyde
dose of 18.5 mg is 37 times the recent EPA limit of
0.5 mg per liter daily drinking water for a 10-kg child:
http://www.epa.gov/teach/chem_summ/F...de_summary.pdf
2007.01.05 [ does not discuss formaldehyde from methanol
or aspartame ]
http://www.epa.gov/teach/teachsurvey.html comments


"Of course, everyone chooses, as a natural priority,
to actively find, quickly share, and positively act upon
the facts about healthy and safe food, drink, and
environment."

Rich Murray, MA Room For All
505-501-2298 1943 Otowi Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/messages
group with 75 members, 1,438 posts in a public, searchable archive
http://RMForAll.blogspot.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1340
aspartame groups and books: updated research review of
2004.07.16: Murray 2006.05.11

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1395
Aspartame Controversy, in Wikipedia democratic
encyclopedia, 72 references (including AspartameNM # 864
and 1173 by Murray), brief fair summary of much more
research: Murray 2007.01.01

Dark wines and liquors, as well as aspartame, provide
similar levels of methanol, above 120 mg daily, for
long-term heavy users, 2 L daily, about 6 cans.

Within hours, methanol is inevitably largely turned into
formaldehyde, and thence largely into formic acid -- the
major causes of the dreaded symptoms of "next morning"
hangover.

Fully 11% of aspartame is methanol -- 1,120 mg aspartame
in 2 L diet soda, almost six 12-oz cans, gives 123 mg
methanol (wood alcohol). If 30% of the methanol is turned
into formaldehyde, the amount of formaldehyde, 37 mg,
is 18.5 times the USA EPA limit for daily formaldehyde in
drinking water, 2.0 mg in 2 L average daily drinking water.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1286
methanol products (formaldehyde and formic acid) are main
cause of alcohol hangover symptoms [same as from similar
amounts of methanol, the 11% part of aspartame]:
YS Woo et al, 2005 Dec: Murray 2006.01.20

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1143
methanol (formaldehyde, formic acid) disposition:
Bouchard M et al, full plain text, 2001: substantial
sources are degradation of fruit pectins, liquors,
aspartame, smoke: Murray 2005.04.02
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

On 31 May 2007 09:49:25 -0700, Rich Murray
wrote:

However, the two companies acknowledge that they face regulatory
troubles since Stevia has been banned in the US and EU after a 1985
medical study linked the plant to liver problems.

they know it's banned in some countries because of safety issues.


They aim to market it first in countries where Stevia is not banned,
such as Japan and South America, and Cargill seeks to help regulatory
approval in the US by sponsoring more scientific studies.


but have no qualms about marketing it where there is little to no
consumer protection of any kind.

Unethical business practices.

Yes, I can see where liver problems would be better than the fictitious
illnesses created about every new sweetener that comes on the market.

Nutjob: However, the two companies acknowledge that they face regulatory
Nutjob: troubles since Stevia has been banned in the US and EU after a 1985
Nutjob: medical study linked the plant to liver problems.

http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/stan...0stevi3096.cfm

Application A540 - Stevol Glycosides as Intense Sweeteners

Draft Assessment Report - 23 May 2007 [ word | pdf 584 kb ]

Inital / Draft Assessment Report - 7 December 2005 [ word |
pdf 187 kb ]

http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/_src..._DAR_FINAL.pdf
89 pages

pag1 3-07
23 May 2007
DRAFT ASSESSMENT REPORT
APPLICATION A540
STEVIOL GLYCOSIDES AS INTENSE SWEETENERS
DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS: 6pm (Canberra time) 4 July 2007
SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED AFTER THIS DEADLINE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED
(See 'Invitation for Public Submissions' for details)
For Information on matters relating to this Assessment Report or the
assessment process
generally, please refer to http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/standardsdevelopment/

pages 87-89 Attachment 5

Summary of Submissions

Initial Assessment

Sixteen submissions were received in response to the Initial
Assessment Report.

Fourteen submissions supported the progression of the Application to
Draft Assessment
with industry submissions strongly supporting the approval of steviol
glycosides
as an intense sweetener.

Two submissions suggested deferring the Draft Assessment until after
JECFA had evaluated
the additional studies requested at its 63rd meeting.

Submitter Comments

Complementary Healthcare Council (CHC)
The CHC has no concerns with the progression of this application.

Department of Human Services Victoria (DHS)
DHS notes steviol glycosides are not permitted for use in the EU
or USA, however, are approved and used in other countries.
DHS will provide further comment at the Draft Assessment stage
after reviewing the toxicological and dietary modelling data.

Crop & Food Research New Zealand
Crop & Food Research New Zealand support A540 based on
Initial Assessment.
It is noted that safety literature has not been examined
by Crop and Food Research.

DIC International (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
DIC International strongly supports A540.
DIC International also provided additional information including:
· history and manufacturing process of stevia;
· merits and defects of stevia as a sweetener;
· metabolism of stevia;
· some additional Toxicological information; and
· countries where stevia is approved for use.

Fonterra Brands Australia (P& B)
Fonterra Brands Australia (P & B) supports progression of A540
to Draft Assessment.
Additional Comments:
· Steviol glycosides would provide alternative intense sweeteners
for use.
· Consumer research shows interest in low caloric foods.
· Suggest FSANZ may consider why this additive is not permitted
for use in the US or Europe.

SA Department of Health SA Department of Health
has no objections to the progression of this application.

88

Submitter Comments
New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA)
NZFSA supports A540 proceeding to Draft Assessment.
Additional comments to consider in the Draft Assessment include:
· only a temporary ADI has been set with JECFA waiting for
further data (does this application contain the extra information
requested by JECFA?);
· consideration needs to be given to JECFA concerns regarding
pharmacological effects particularly in relation to Type I & II
diabetics;
· NZFSA believe dietary modelling needs to consider exposure
from table top sweeteners;
· NZFSA is aware of a dietary supplement sold in NZ as 'Stevia
Dietary Supplement' which contains 60 mg Stevia rebaudiana
Bertoni extract per 1g serving; and
· NZFSA suggests clarification be sough status of
stevia from the Novel Foods Reference Group.

New Zealand Juice & Beverage Association Inc (NZJBA)
NZJBA support A540. NZJBA believe that this will extend the
number of approved sweeteners available increasing consumer choice.

Australian Beverages Council Ltd (ABCL)
ABCL supports approval of steviol glycosides as a food additive.
Additional comments:
· Temporary JECFA ADI is based on a 200-fold safety factor
assuming a mid-dose of 970 mg/kg of stevioside was the NOEL
in rat carcinogenicity study. ABCL and the University of
Queensland believe it to based on a NOEL of 2,000 mg/kg.
Believe the ADI can safely be assessed at 4 times that set by JECFA
· ABCL requests FSANZ approves a use level of steviol
glycosides at 1000 ppm in water based flavoured beverages and
fruit and vegetable juice products. ABC note that milk and soy
containing beverages will require more stevia sweeteners
because of their protein and fat contents and request amount
permitted to be 1000 ppm.
· ABCL suggests dietary modelling should be conservative in
assumptions of market use. They suggest dietary modelling
should be based on current uses of aspartame and other
approved sweeteners are appropriate.
· ABCL believes that JECFA's assessment of steviol glycosides
replacing 20-30% of sugar is very optimistic market assessment.
· ABCL believe there will be consumer benefit through controlled
energy intake while enjoying food and beverages.
· ABCL also notes the potential development of a new
agricultural crop for Australia.

89

Submitter Comments

Australian Stevia Mills Supports application A540.
Additional comments
· Stevia is a safe natural alternative to artificial sweeteners
· Stevia does not promote calories
· Stevia is safe to use in baked products and products with varying
pH.
· Currently no artificial sweeteners are locally owned products,
potential cash crop for Australia.
Successful trials in Eastern states of Australia.
· The federal government supports development of stevia through
projects under RIRDC.
· Potential stakeholder benefits to federal and state governments,
diabetic and obese people, general public in reducing dental caries

Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC)
Supports A540 - Steviol glycoside as an intense sweetener.

Health & Herbs Ltd Supports A540 - Steviol glycoside as a sweetener

Queensland Health -Environmental Health Unit
Believe FSANZ should defer further assessment until 2007 when
additional studies on pharmacological effects of the sweetener
(required by FAO/WHO).
Suggest delay will not be significant to industry as other intense
sweeteners are available.
Also notes that EU and USA do not currently permit steviol glycosides.

Cadbury Schweppes
Supports A540 - Steviol glycosides as a sweetener in a broad range of
products

NSW Food Authority
Recommends waiting for further toxicological data required by JECFA.
Notes that the NFRG formed the view that stevia is a novel food,
therefore the novelty of this food will need to be assessed

Food Technology Association of Victoria Inc
Supports A540 - Steviol glycosides as a sweetener