Organic Stevia

Organic stevia is a sweetener made from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, which is native to South America. The sweet compounds, called steviol glycosides, are extracted from the leaves and purified. The 'organic' designation means the stevia plant was grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

Manufacturers use organic stevia as a zero-calorie sweetener in a variety of food and beverage products. It is often found in diet drinks, tabletop sweeteners, baked goods, and dairy products. Its intense sweetness means only small amounts are needed.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers highly purified steviol glycosides to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for use as sweeteners. These sweeteners are not metabolized by the body in the same way as sugar, and do not typically affect blood glucose levels. International bodies like the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have also evaluated steviol glycosides and established acceptable daily intakes. Some people report a bitter or licorice-like aftertaste with stevia-based sweeteners.