Stevia Leaf Extract
What is Stevia Leaf Extract?
Stevia leaf extract is a natural, calorie-free sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. The sweet compounds, called steviol glycosides, are extracted from the plant leaves and purified.
Is Stevia Leaf Extract vegan?
Stevia Leaf Extract is not animal-derived. Products that contain it can still include other animal-derived ingredients, so check the full ingredient list.
Is Stevia Leaf Extract a major allergen?
Not a major allergen.
What is Stevia Leaf Extract used for?
Manufacturers add stevia leaf extract to foods and beverages to provide sweetness without adding calories or affecting blood sugar levels.
Is Stevia Leaf Extract safe?
In the United States, high-purity steviol glycosides, the sweet components of stevia leaf extract, are considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as a general-purpose sweetener.
Why it's used
Manufacturers add stevia leaf extract to foods and beverages to provide sweetness without adding calories or affecting blood sugar levels. It is commonly found in sugar-free or reduced-sugar products like soft drinks, yogurts, desserts, and snack bars.
Health notes
In the United States, high-purity steviol glycosides, the sweet components of stevia leaf extract, are considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as a general-purpose sweetener. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated steviol glycosides and established an acceptable daily intake. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also assessed their safety. Early concerns about crude stevia extracts are not applicable to the high-purity steviol glycosides used in foods today.
Allergen info
Not a major allergen. Stevia leaf extract is derived from a plant and is not related to any of the nine major food allergens identified by the FDA.
Foods that contain Stevia Leaf Extract
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