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Is there a stevia product made in Canada? Your guide to Canadian brands

3 min read

In 2012, Health Canada approved stevia for use in food and beverages across the country. This decision has led to the growth of a market with several Canadian brands. These companies offer consumers locally produced, sugar-free choices.

Quick Summary

Explore Canadian-made stevia products. This article features brands such as Crave Stevia, Stevia Canada (JG Group), New Roots Herbal, and Krisda. It also clarifies the difference between Canadian manufacturing and sourcing.

Key Points

  • Canadian Production: Yes, several Canadian companies, including Crave Stevia, Stevia Canada (JG Group), New Roots Herbal, and Krisda, manufacture stevia products.

  • Local vs. Sourced: Most Canadian-made stevia products are processed and packaged in Canada, but the raw stevia plant material is typically imported from warmer climates.

  • Variety of Forms: Canadian brands offer stevia in multiple forms, including liquid drops, concentrated powders, and spoonable blends.

  • Made in BC: Crave Stevia is a family-owned business that produces its organic stevia sweeteners on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

  • Quebec Manufacturing: New Roots Herbal manufactures its stevia products in its own facilities in Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec.

  • Health Canada Regulation: All stevia products sold in Canada are regulated by Health Canada, which approved stevia for use in food and beverages in 2012.

In This Article

Yes, Canadian-made stevia is readily available

Consumers who prioritize local production have several options. Multiple companies operate and manufacture in Canada, supporting the country's natural health market. While the stevia plant, Stevia rebaudiana, typically grows in warmer climates, Canadian companies import raw materials and perform the final processing, extraction, blending, and packaging. This maintains quality control and supports Canadian businesses. Health Canada's 2012 approval of stevia in food and beverages solidified its place in the Canadian market.

Notable Canadian stevia brands

Crave Stevia

Based in Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Crave Stevia is a family-owned business specializing in organic, natural sweeteners. They offer a variety of liquid flavoured drops and powdered stevia products. Crave Stevia emphasizes a pure taste without the bitter aftertaste. They focus on high-quality, natural ingredients for health-conscious consumers.

New Roots Herbal

Located in Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, New Roots Herbal manufactures a range of stevia products in-house. They source their ingredients globally but manufacture and process all products in Canada under Health Canada supervision. They offer a concentrated white powder and a spoonable stevia blend that combines stevia extract with inulin for a more sugar-like texture and reduced intensity.

Stevia Canada (JG Group)

As one of the original stevia companies in Canada, with over 25 years of experience, Stevia Canada has an extensive background in the industry. They offer many products, including Stevia Max Powder, a Spoonable Stevia blend, and numerous flavoured liquid stevia drops. Their expertise covers all aspects of the stevia trade, from seed to market.

Krisda

Krisda is another Canadian brand that markets stevia sweeteners and sugar-free baking products. The finished product is part of a Canadian company, but the raw stevia extract is sourced from regions where the plant naturally thrives, such as South and Central America. Krisda products are popular in Canadian retail.

Understanding 'Made in Canada' vs. 'Grown in Canada'

The difference between a product being 'made' in Canada and the ingredients being 'grown' in Canada is essential for the stevia industry. Because Stevia rebaudiana grows in warm climates, commercial-scale cultivation in Canada is not economically viable. Canadian companies import the plant leaves or raw extract from growing regions to process and package them domestically. This process is standard for many health food products.

Popular Canadian Stevia Product Forms

Canadian manufacturers offer stevia in several forms.

  • Liquid Drops: Highly concentrated and available in numerous flavours, these are perfect for sweetening beverages without diluting the mixture.
  • Powdered Extract: A pure, concentrated form of stevia. It is suitable for cooking and baking when used sparingly.
  • Spoonable Blends: These are combined with bulking agents like inulin to provide a texture and measurement ratio closer to sugar. They are ideal for sprinkling on food or using in recipes.
  • Packets: Convenient, single-serving packets are perfect for on-the-go use, ensuring a consistent dose for coffee or tea.

Comparison of Canadian Stevia Brands

Feature Crave Stevia New Roots Herbal Stevia Canada Krisda
Manufacturing Location Vancouver Island, BC Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC Canada (Est. 1999) Canada
Sourcing Globally sourced organic stevia extract Globally sourced raw materials, in-house Canadian processing Globally sourced stevia Globally sourced stevia leaf extract
Product Focus Organic, flavoured liquid drops & baking mixes Concentrated powder & spoonable inulin blend Bulk and retail powders, spoonable & flavoured liquids Packets, bulk sweeteners, and baking products
Specialty Wide range of unique liquid flavours Pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing standards Long-standing industry expertise, original Canadian company Accessible grocery store brand

Conclusion

While the stevia plant is not commercially grown in Canada, consumers can buy a stevia product made in Canada from several domestic manufacturers. Brands like Crave Stevia, New Roots Herbal, and Stevia Canada offer a range of products, including liquids, powders, and blends, all processed and packaged to Canadian standards. Whether baking, mixing a drink, or seeking a healthier sweetener, supporting these companies means finding a locally finished product. Explore the offerings from Crave Stevia and other companies by visiting their websites or major Canadian retailers like Healthy Planet.

Further research on specific brands or retail options can be found through resources like the Crave Stevia website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, commercial-scale stevia cultivation is not viable in Canada due to the climate. Canadian companies process and package the stevia here, but the raw plant material is imported from countries with warmer climates.

Companies including Crave Stevia, New Roots Herbal, and Stevia Canada (JG Group), produce stevia products in Canada.

You can purchase Canadian-made stevia products online directly from brands like Crave Stevia and Stevia Canada, or through Canadian retailers like Healthy Planet and Well.ca.

Yes, all stevia products and extracts used in food and beverages in Canada are regulated by Health Canada. Stevia was formally approved for use as a sweetener in 2012.

Canadian companies offer stevia in formats, including liquid drops (often flavoured), pure powdered extract, and spoonable blends with fillers like inulin.

Brands focus on refining high-purity steviol glycosides to produce a clean taste with minimal or no bitter aftertaste. Pure extract is often considered to have the cleanest flavour.

Krisda is a Canadian brand that manufactures its sweetener products in Canada, though the raw stevia leaf extract is sourced from international suppliers.

References

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.