Chile Minister of Health warns of counterfeit Stevia in market, health alert

biobiochile.cl reported call for nationwide alert issued the Ministry of health after discovering some products that they claim to be made on the basis of stevia, but that actually have anything but this plant used to replace sugar, which represents a serious health risk.

According to a study carried out by the Seremi of health of Tarapacá, validated by the Institute of public health (ISP), certain products of Bolivian origin as the “E.N.D. Stevia sweetener food supplement” and “Eco-Stevia Natural sweetener”, do not contain a steviol Glycoside (stevia), and its composition would be mainly saccharin and cyclamate sodium, i.e., artificial sweeteners, whose use should be regulated.

“We call upon the community to not purchase this product that is marketed both in the region illegally or is acquired in the border town of Tacna because, in addition to not having our authorization, it is a falsification that puts at risk the health of the community. Far from being a natural product is a chemical that has a 98% cyclamate”, said the Secretary of the Ministry of health, Manuel Fernández Ibacache. Read Article