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New study of steviol glycosides indicates lack of carcinogenicity



An article published recently by ToxStrategies scientists presents the systematic identification, appraisal, and integration of mechanistic data in an assessment of the potential carcinogenicity of steviol glycosides, a naturally occurring, non-nutritive sweetener. Based on an evaluation of more than 900 measurements/assay endpoints related to one or more key characteristics of carcinogens (KCC) reported in the literature or within the ToxCast/Tox21 high-throughput screening data, the authors found a lack of evidence for activity across the mechanistic database. The assessment included individual steviol glycosides, as well as mixtures such as whole stevia leaf extracts. These results align with the overall lack of tumor response to steviol glycosides observed in mammalian carcinogenicity studies, corroborating previous reports of a lack of carcinogenicity related to steviol glycoside exposure. This open-access publication is the fourth in a series of assessments for non-nutritive sweeteners, following aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium (Ace K), all of which have been published in Food and Chemical Toxicology.