Stevia is still the answer to America's health problems, says SweetLeaf CEO

The stevia industry has not yet lived up to expectations - but it will, as more companies and consumers look to the sweetener as the answer to many American health problems, claims president and CEO of SweetLeaf Jim May.

Speaking to FoodNavigator-USA at the IFT expo on New Orleans, May said that more and more companies were likely to get onboard with learning how to use stevia for sweetening their products.

He also claimed that stevia had many health benefits in addition to simply removing calories in sweet foods and beverages, and it is "nearly a crime against the human population" that regulation prevents companies from promoting those benefits to consumers.

"It is the answer to obesity and diabetes," he said.