Reb A 98% Interest in Rebaudioside A, Rebiana, or Reb A, as it is commonly known, has grown exponentially with the recent notification from FDA that it has no objection to its GRAS status as a sweetener. Reb A, at a 95% level of purity or higher, was cleared by FDA in Dec. 2008. This natural, zero-calorie sweetener has the potential to change the sweetener industry significantly. Reb A comes on to the market at a very opportune time in the United States. The national waistline has never been greater, so the need for a natural substitute to caloric and noncaloric sweeteners is well, natural. Here’s a look at what Reb A is, its regulatory status, how it’s derived and some technical background.

What is Reb A?

Reb A is a completely natural, high-intensity sweetener that is about 350 to 450 times sweeter than sugar. It’s found in nature in the leaf of the Stevia Rebaudiana plant, which is native to South America, and where it has been used safely as a sweetener for generations. While Reb A is derived from the stevia plant, it is not the same as the stevia that has been sold for years in the U.S. as a dietary supplement. Reb A is one of several related sugar-like substances known as steviol-glycosides that are found in the stevia plant, as shown in Table 1. It is one of the sweetest and best-tasting steviol-glycosides.