Controversy

• Stevia is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. There are some theories as to why the FDA has not approved Stevia as a sweetener, but the FDA does acknowledge it as a dietary supplement.
  
  

Stevia is Not a Sweetener

• The theory is that the producers of aspartame and saccharin lobby to keep Stevia from being labeled as safe and regular sugar substitute. Some researchers believe Stevia is a rival to sugar-substitute competitors.
  
  

Popularity

• All of South America, Japan, China and some European countries use Stevia.
  
  

Overseas Use

• Japanese culture accepts Stevia as being safer than other sweetener substitutes. It has been used in Japan for years because the country banned the use of all other sweeteners.
  
  

Pregnant Stevia Use

• Stevia has been consumed by pregnant Japanese women with no ill results for more than 30 years. Even so, with little research in this area, a pregnant women should consult her doctor before consuming the herb.