Stevia

Stevia is a plant-based sweetener – either as an extract (called stevioside) or as an herb.

In the EU Stevia was not permitted for food consumption for many years. Recently, limited approval was granted. Stevia is very similar to artificial sweeteners in taste and effect. It has a strong bitter aftertaste which is usually covered by the addition of other sweeteners, usually erythritol, sugar alcohols such as maltitol or sorbitol, or other artificial sweeteners. People with fructose intolerance in particular should be cautious when sugar alcohols such as sorbitol are added.

But there are also a few foods, such as drinks, where stevia blends very well into the natural taste of the drink; such is the case for Frusano's two iced tea varieties and our cola. And, the stevia used is well- tolerated by people with fructose intolerance.