FDA Attempts to Destroy Books on Natural Sweetener

[chloe3388]

I grow and use stevia and really like it.. Anyone else heard of the FDA trying to ban it?

The Food and Drug Administration has gotten itself into a messy predicament in their efforts to destroy books that describe the ways to cook with and use stevia, a natural sweetener.

http://www.feingold.org/PF/pf_stevia.html

[MotherCharlotte]

Oh geeze. I had heard about this actually, because recently, after buying a package of stevia to use in my tea, I noticed it said on the box not to use it while breastfeeding. So I looked it up online and discovered that there has actually been this ridiculous controversy over this herb which has been used extensively in Japan for almost 30 years without a single problem. All because the folks who make aspartame don't want to go out of business.

I hadn't heard about this attempted book banning though. The very idea of banning a cookbook is beyond ridiculous.

How interesting that you grow it chloe. I never even thought of doing that, I just buy it at the store. Is it very easy to grow? Where did you get the seeds?

[chloe3388]

In my area central Texas it is very easy to grow. Some in my herb bed and some in pots to bring in when it gets cold. The stevia in my herb bed reseeds every year..

It has been so long since I bought seeds I checked one of my favorite catalogs and sure enough they have them..

http://www.parkseed.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10101&catalogId=10101& langId=-1&mainPage=prod2working&ItemId=0265&cid=pport0001& CAWELAID=63704332

The FDA seems to be over stepping their authority on behalf of the chemical pushers again.. Even though they allow something as toxic as aspartame to be widely distributed. Don't get me going on that I will rave for hours LOL..

[MotherCharlotte]

Wow, that's really cool. I wonder if I can find a Canadian retailer that sells the seeds.

[chloe3388]

I bet you can find it, might have to ask for them to order it for you.. Good luck it is well worth it..

[pilgrim]

I tried stevia once and found it BITTER with bitter aftertaste. WHAT WENT WRONG ? Are my tastebuds out of step with everyone else's or what?

[ozarksnick]

My wife and I read somewhere that Stevia is a natural contraceptive. And since we've been trying for nigh on 12 years for a child, we stay away from the stuff.

Never really cared for the taste myself either.

[MotherCharlotte]

Wow, really? I didn't know about its contraceptive properties. That's interesting to note.

I did end up finding a retailer from PEI who sells it, I think I'll give it a try come spring.
http://www.veseys.com/ca/en/store/herbs/steviatp/stevia

Pilgrim, I have heard that different brands of stevia powder have slightly different tastes. I have bought two different brands and they were both really, really sweet--a little goes a long way.

I'd like to try using the actual leaves though without anything else added.

[MHinFox]

My undestanding on the FDA part is it is being pushed by sugar industry...imagine that. But to be honest I dont know all the fact behind it all. I do grow my own and use leaves with herbal teas some and sometimes with ice tea. I dry (dehydrate) and store in canning jars for long storage. Use it fresh while growing season in. One issue I have with it it is an tropical plant and has no tolerance much below 50 degrees has been my experience. This year I left mine out accidently in low 40 's weather...opps...will have to start more next year. Have to admit Have done this more than once....LOL when it is not "operator error" they do ok in house during winter in kept in semi sunny spot.

[Saoirse]

I use stevia a lot. It can taste bitter at first, especially if you use too much. Now that I am used to it, I love it. Very good with tea!
Tried to grow it in the Great Lakes region. The sun and wind in the garden almost did it in. It looked nice and did well after transplanting it to a sheltered area between a bush and the porch. Unfortunately, it was not very sweet. I'll try a different spot this year.