Stevia is approved as a sweetener and food additive in over 130 countries. These approvals were based on extensive studies on stevia and its impact on the human body. Stevia’s approval as a sweetener was governed by five major food authorities across the world, including US FDA, EFSA, JECFA, FEMA, and FSSAI.
US Food & Drug Administration
In the United States, high-purity steviol glycoside extracts have been granted the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) since 2009 by Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The organization has still not allowed the use of stevia leaves and crude extracts for consumption.
Europe Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) approved the usage of steviol glycosides as a food additive in 2011. It is marked safe for everyone’s consumption, including children and pregnant women.
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
Governed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), JECFA, approved steviol glycosides as safe food additives and set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for steviol glycosides of 4 mg/kg bw on a steviol equivalents basis.
Flavor Extracts Manufacturers Association (FEMA)
The US’ FEMA (Flavor Extracts Manufacturers Association)issued GRAS (generally recognized as safe) level for natural Stevia flavors.
India
In November 2015, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) allowed the usage of steviol glycoside as a non-nutritive sweetener in food products.
