Things that make you go hmm…Kraft Touts Wonders of Stevia for the New Crystal Light.

As I was a Crystal Light junkie in the 80’s (before understanding the dangers of aspartame), my curiosity prompted me to read more. Could Kraft really be producing a ‘healthy’ version of my once favorite drink?

Kraft is not using pure stevia, they are using Cargill’s Truvia, a brand of stevia.

Ok, so what is Truvia? It is a blend of rebiana (extract form stevia leaves), erythritol (sugar alcohol) and natural flavors. It is currently used in Vitamin Water, All Sport and some Odwalla juices. Apparently, Truvia now accounts for approximately 5% of the artificial sweetener market.

Like many sugar substitutes, there doesn’t seem to be any conclusive evidence supporting the safety of Truvia. However, it was approved as a food ingredient by the FDA in 2008.

I gave up Crystal Light back in 1989. Despite this new ingredient, I will be sticking to fresh lemon with my water. With the hundreds of gallons of Crystal Light (and aspartame) I consumed in the 80′s, my body has accumulated more than it share of ‘questionable’ artificial sweeteners.