Officially stevia as a sweetener in Europe
steviol glycosides (extracts from the sweetest part of the stevia plant) as an additive in all 27 EU member states are used. The new sweetener, which is 200 times sweeter than sugar, given the E number E960.Depending on the composition can steviol glycosides differ in sweetness and aftertaste. Steviol glycoside are only allowed in certain food groups such as flavored non-alcoholic drinks (lemonade, milk, soy drinks, …), beer, ice cream, fruit and fruit preparations, jam, chocolate, candy, chewing gum, cereals, desserts, sauces, food and table-top sweeteners. In addition, authorization is often limited to the light products and products without added sugars. Finally, there are maximum levels of steviol glycoside of sustenance. The terms of use must ensure that the consumer does not exceed the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of steviol glycoside position. This ADI by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the scientific advisory body of the EU, set at 4 mg per kg body weight per day. is important to know that the stevia plant itself and the dried leaves is still not permitted as a food or food ingredient because there are insufficient data to demonstrate the safety of these products.
