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Coke, Cargill Team Up on New Sweetener

Based on herb called stevia, not yet approved in US

By Max Brallier,  Newser User

Posted May 31, 2007 5:04 AM CDT

(Newser) – Coke has teamed up with Cargill to produce and market the all-natural, calorie-free sweetener rebiana, based on a South American herb called stevia. Coke and Cargill plan to market it in 12 countries that have approved stevia as a food additive, while attempting to win regulatory approval in the US and EU.

Stevia has a controversial past; a 1985 study concluded that it could cause mutations in the liver. Potential fertility problems in men have also been cited. Coke plans to use the sweetener in beverages aimed at health-conscious consumers; Cargill is eying it for products like yogurt, ice cream, cereal, and candy. 

Visitors to the World of Coke in Atlanta walk past a large Coke sign, in this Feb. 14, 2007 file photo. The Coca-Cola Co., the world's largest beverage maker, said Tuesday, April 17, 2007 its first-quarter profit jumped 14 percent on a double-digit rise in sales, despite continuing problems in...
Visitors to the World of Coke in Atlanta walk past a large Coke sign, in this Feb. 14, 2007 file photo. The Coca-Cola Co., the world's largest beverage maker, said Tuesday, April 17, 2007 its first-quarter...   (Associated Press)
Coca-Cola delivery driver Shawn Hagerty, loads up cases of Coke for delivery in downtown Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, April 17, 2007. Coca-Cola Co. the world's largest beverage maker reported its first-quarter profit jumped 14 percent on a double-digit rise in sales problems in its North America unit. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Coca-Cola delivery driver Shawn Hagerty, loads up cases of Coke for delivery in downtown Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, April 17, 2007. Coca-Cola Co. the world's largest beverage maker reported its first-quarter...   (Associated Press)
Coca Cola Manufactures a variety of diet soft drinks.
Coca Cola Manufactures a variety of diet soft drinks.   (Getty Images)
Special edition bottles of Coca-Cola roll off the new bottling line at the soon-to-be-opened World of Coke Thursday, April 26, 2007 in Atlanta. Coke started the line and gave the first bottles  to large Coca-Cola memorabilia collectors. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Special edition bottles of Coca-Cola roll off the new bottling line at the soon-to-be-opened World of Coke Thursday, April 26, 2007 in Atlanta. Coke started the line and gave the first bottles to large...   (Associated Press)
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