Product FAQ

What is stevia?

Stevia is a member of the chrysanthemum family native to northeastern Paraguay. The plant has been used to sweeten foods and beverages for hundreds of years.

What makes EZ-Sweetz® sweetener better than other stevia-based sweeteners?

Most stevia-based sweeteners are a mixture of many components of the plant. EZ-Sweetz® sweetener uses EZ-Sweetz® stevia leaf extract, which is made from the best tasting part of the stevia leaf.

What are the benefits of natural vs. artificial sweeteners?

It really comes down to taste. Some people simply prefer the taste of natural sweeteners when compared to artificial. Some prefer the origin too. EZ-Sweetz® natural sweetener is natural and versatile, which is something everyone can enjoy.

Can EZ-Sweetz® natural sweetener be used in cooking and baking?

Absolutely. Browse the recipe section for the latest goodies from our Test Kitchen, as well as a EZ-Sweetz® conversion chart.

And be sure to give EZ-Sweetz® Baking Blend a try. It’s a mix of EZ-Sweetz® natural sweetener and sugar. It bakes and browns like sugar with 75% fewer calories per serving.

Can pregnant and nursing women use EZ-Sweetz sweetener?

Pregnant and nursing women can safely use EZ-Sweetz® stevia leaf extract sweeteners. Safety studies published in the peer reviewed scientific journal, Food and Chemical Toxicology, found stevia leaf extract to be safe with no negative effects on general health, reproduction, fertility, growth or development of offspring. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has issued a position that all FDA-approved non-nutritive sweeteners are safe for use during pregnancy (Position of the American Dietetic Association: Nutrition and lifestyle for a healthy pregnancy. J Am Diet Assoc. 2008; 108:553-561).

Are products with EZ-Sweetz® stevia leaf extract safe for children?

Published safety studies have demonstrated that stevia leaf extract had no effects on general health, reproduction, fertility, growth, or development. Stevia leaf extract is generally recognized as safe for use in foods and beverages for use as a general purpose sweetener. This regulatory designation means that stevia leaf extract is generally recognized as safe for use in foods that are commonly consumed by children, such as yogurts, cereals, and beverages.

Are there any known drug interactions with products that use EZ-Sweetz® stevia leaf extract?

There are no known interactions between EZ-Sweetz® natural sweetener and any prescription or over the counter medications. There haven't been any targeted safety studies to evaluate the potential for interactions.

Are there any medical conditions that should avoid products with EZ-Sweetz® stevia leaf extract?

There are no known side effects of EZ-Sweetz® natural sweetener and is not known to be contraindicated for any medical conditions. Allergies are not common but could occur in sensitive individuals.

What is the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for EZ-Sweetz® natural sweetener?

The ADI is an estimate of the amount of a food additive that can be safely consumed every day over an entire lifetime without health risk. It typically is calculated from all the available toxicology safety studies. The highest dose in these studies that have been shown to cause no adverse health effects is the starting point. This dose is then divided by at least 100 to determine the ADI. So ADI value does not represent the line between safe and unsafe, but instead includes a very wide added safety factor.

For EZ-Sweetz® stevia leaf extract, the ADI is equivalent to about 12 mg/kg body weight/ day. Even this value is well above the estimated daily consumption based on clinical studies. In those studies, the average estimated daily intake was 1.3 mg/kg bw/day for adults, 1.4 mg/kg bw/day for diabetics, and 2.1 mg/kg bw/day for children. Even heavy users of EZ-Sweetz® stevia leaf extract products are unlikely to consume an amount near the ADI which would only be reached with 29 sachets or sweetness equivalent to 58 teaspoons of sugar every day for their entire life.

Are EZ-Sweetz® products safe for someone on a gluten-free diet?

Yes, neither EZ-Sweetz® natural sweetener nor EZ-Sweetz® Baking Blend contain any gluten.