Workshop Summary

As of 11/04/09

Stevia: Trends, Product Development and Regulatory Update
Saturday, Nov. 14, 8:30-11:30am
Location: San Polo 3401B, Level 3

Workshop Leaders

Robert S. McQuate, Ph.D., Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, GRAS Associates LLC
Steven Walton, General Manager, HealthFocus International

Session Descriptions

Stevia-Derived Sweeteners: Safety, Regulatory and Technical Considerations
The accumulated body of health and safety studies for high purity rebaudioside A and steviol glycosides will be summarized. This documentation provided the necessary scientific foundation to enable regulatory agencies around the world to proclaim that these natural sweeteners can safely be incorporated into conventional foods. The active safety and regulatory evaluation of three steviol glycosides petitions that are in process with the European Food Safety Authority will be discussed, as will the importance of chemical composition and purity of the subject sweeteners. The status of the U.S. Pharmacopeia effort to develop purity criteria and reference standards for inclusion in the Food Chemicals Codex will be examined, and an update on JECFA deliberations on expanding its specifications to include additional allowable steviol glycosides will also be considered. Other technological innovation topics affecting stevia-derived sweeteners, including various flavor modifying inititiaves, will be discussed.

Speaker: Robert S. McQuate, Ph.D., co-founder and chief executive officer, GRAS Associates LLC

What are the Consumer Drivers in Support of Stevia?
As a backdrop to a discussion on stevia, Steven Walton, general manager of HealthFocus International, will review the latest information from the 2009 HealthFocus USA Trend Report. This report covers primary household shopper attitudes and behaviors relative to sweeteners usage and selection. This presentation will identify and address the usage trends and drivers within the sweetener category, as well as how shoppers are profiling in their attitudes and beliefs affecting the potential growth for stevia and other options.   

Speaker: Steven Walton, general manager, HealthFocus International

Speaker Biographies

Robert S. McQuate, Ph.D., Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, GRAS Associates LLC
Dr. McQuate is co-founder and CEO of Oregon-based GRAS Associates LLC, a consulting firm with a strong FDA heritage that focuses on food ingredient safety matters. GRAS Associates convenes independent expert panels that produce rigorous GRAS evaluations and also assists clients with new dietary ingredient and color additive submissions to FDA. Dr. McQuate previously worked for the FDA, The Dial Co. and the National Soft Drink Association.

Steven Walton, General Manager, HealthFocus International
Walton is general manager of HealthFocus International, and brings more than 20 years of general management and classical marketing experience. He has been responsible for some of the world’s most recognized consumer products, including Wesson Cooking Oil, Peter Pan Peanut Butter, Ponds Skin Care, Vaseline Lotions and Body Treatments, Q-tips Cotton Swabs, Woolite Cleaners and Lysol Disinfectants. Walton works with client companies to help them understand the global consumer trends on health and wellness, and how to leverage this understanding to bring products to market faster.

Registration Fee*

*Access to this Pre-Conference Workshop requires the purchase of an event ticket in advance or at the door. Registration includes continental breakfast and a conference workbook.