Tag: Regulatory history

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially approved aspartame in 1974, but this was the beginning of a long and controversial regulatory journey. The question of when was aspartame FDA approved is not as simple as a single date, involving multiple phases over more than two decades.

In 1974, the FDA classified miraculin, the taste-modifying protein found in miracle berries, as an unapproved food additive, a decision that abruptly halted its commercialization in the United States and left a legacy of controversy. This ruling prevented a pioneering company from bringing a natural, calorie-free sweetener to the market.

In 1991, the FDA placed an import alert on stevia leaf and crude extracts, effectively banning its use as a food additive in the US. This decision, based on early, later-debunked studies suggesting safety concerns, created confusion and fueled misinformation, leaving many to wonder, "Why was stevia sugar banned?". The truth lies in a complex regulatory battle, eventually leading to the approval of highly purified stevia extracts for widespread use.

The modern Nutrition Facts label, featuring mandatory calorie counts, was first introduced in May 1994, though earlier forms of voluntary labeling existed. Understanding when they started putting calories on food involves tracing regulatory changes and evolving public health priorities.

In 1991, the FDA first banned stevia in the U.S., claiming insufficient toxicological data, mirroring regulatory uncertainty seen across the globe. The question of why is stevia banned in some countries involves a complex history of regulatory caution, market competition, and differing scientific conclusions. Today, highly purified stevia is widely accepted, though misconceptions about its past restrictions persist.