Are Steviol Glycosides Banned in Europe?

November 22, 2025 •

3 min read

In November 2011, the European Union officially approved the use of steviol glycosides, effectively ending a long period of regulatory uncertainty. Despite this clear authorization, confusion and rumors persist, leading many to question: Are steviol glycosides banned in Europe? The answer is a definitive no, but a complex regulatory history means the details matter.

Quick Summary

Steviol glycosides, derived from the stevia plant, are not banned in the European Union. Authorized since December 2011, their use is strictly regulated as food additives under E-number E960. Various production methods exist, each with specific rules, and maximum levels are set for use in different food categories.

Key Points

Not Banned: Highly purified steviol glycosides (E960) are officially authorized for use as a sweetener across the European Union.
Long Regulatory History: The sweetener was initially restricted by the EU before gaining approval in 2011 after extensive safety assessments.
Strictly Regulated: The EU sets specific maximum permitted levels (MPLs) for steviol glycosides in various food and drink categories.
Multiple E-Numbers: Different production methods, such as water extraction and fermentation, are assigned specific E-numbers (E960a, E960b, E960c, E960d).
Purity is Key: Only highly purified extracts, containing at least 95% total steviol glycosides, are authorized. Crude extracts and the unprocessed leaf are not.
Scientifically Vetted: Major food safety authorities, including EFSA and JECFA, have deemed steviol glycosides safe for consumption within the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI).

A History of European Regulation for Steviol Glycosides

The journey for steviol glycosides to gain widespread acceptance in Europe was lengthy and involved considerable scientific scrutiny. Before 2011, they were not authorized in the EU due to insufficient safety data, with restrictions placed by the European Commission. Products containing stevia were sometimes marketed for other uses during this period.

A turning point occurred in 2010 when the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a comprehensive safety assessment. Following EFSA's positive opinion, the European Commission formally authorized steviol glycosides as a food additive (sweetener) on November 11, 2011, effective from December 2011. They were assigned the E-number E960. Since this initial approval, the EU has updated its regulations based on new scientific evidence, expanding the range of authorized steviol glycosides and refining manufacturing processes.

E-Numbers and Steviol Glycoside Production Methods

The EU regulates different steviol glycoside production methods under the E960 umbrella.


Production Method	E-Number	Description	EU Authorization Status
Water extraction from Stevia leaves	E960a	Traditional method.	Authorized since 2011.
Fermentation using yeast	E960b	Uses genetically modified Yarrowia lipolytica yeast.	Authorized from April 2025.
Enzymatic conversion of leaf extracts	E960c	Enzymes convert extracts into different glycosides.	Several variations authorized since 2021.
Glucosylation	E960d	Adds glucose molecules to extracts.	Authorized since 2023.

Why the Ban Rumors Persist

Rumors of a ban often stem from misunderstandings of the EU's complex regulatory process for food additives and the historical restrictions.

Prior Restrictions: Before 2011, stevia and its extracts were indeed banned in the EU due to the 'novel food' rules requiring extensive safety testing. Awareness of this earlier period can lead to the belief that the ban is still in place.
Leaf vs. Extract: The EU regulates highly purified steviol glycoside extracts (E960), requiring at least 95% total steviol glycosides. Unpurified crude extracts or the whole Stevia leaf are not authorized as sweeteners in the EU, though the leaf can be used for infusions. The US FDA has similar restrictions on the whole leaf.
Conflation with other Sweeteners: Sometimes, controversies surrounding other sweeteners are incorrectly associated with steviol glycosides.

Conclusion: A Green Light, with Regulations

Steviol glycosides are not banned in Europe. They have been authorized as a safe food additive (E960) by EFSA and the European Commission since 2011. Their use is widespread and regulated with strict purity standards and maximum permitted levels (MPLs) that vary by food category. While the raw leaf and crude extracts are not approved as sweeteners, the refined extracts are legal and commonly used. The journey from initial ban to approval reflects the rigorous scientific process ensuring food additive safety in the EU. For the most current information, consult the European Commission's food additives database.

The E-Number System and Labeling

E-numbers, like E960, indicate an additive has passed EU safety assessments. Labeling rules require foods with sweeteners to state "with sweetener(s)" or "with sugar(s) and sweetener(s)".

The additive's name and E-number must be listed in ingredients.
Table-top sweeteners must specify the sweetener, e.g., "...-based table-top sweetener".

This ensures consumer awareness of ingredients like 'E960a: Steviol glycosides from Stevia'.

Maximum Permitted Levels and Applications

The EU sets Maximum Permitted Levels (MPLs) for steviol glycosides in various food and beverage categories to prevent excessive consumption. For example, energy-reduced soft drinks have an MPL of up to 150 mg/L, while chewing gum without added sugar can have up to 3300 mg/kg. The full list of MPLs can be found on the {Link: European Commission Food Additives Database https://ec.europa.eu/food/food-feed-portal/screen/food-additives/search/details/POL-FAD-06121}.

Safety and Scientific Consensus

Major scientific bodies globally, including the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), support the safety of steviol glycosides, aligning with the EU's ADI of 4 mg/kg body weight/day. Authorized preparations have been extensively tested and show no genotoxic, carcinogenic, or adverse reproductive effects. This scientific backing supports authorizations in Europe and other markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Steviol glycosides were authorized for use as a food additive in the European Union on November 11, 2011, and the regulation became effective on December 2, 2011.

The main E-number for steviol glycosides is E960. Specific E-numbers like E960a, E960b, E960c, and E960d are used to differentiate between various production methods, such as extraction from stevia leaves or fermentation.

No, the EU only permits the use of highly purified steviol glycoside extracts (E960) as a food sweetener. The unprocessed raw Stevia leaf and crude extracts are not authorized for this purpose, although the leaves can be used for infusions.

Yes, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducted a thorough safety assessment and established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 4 mg/kg of body weight per day in 2010. They have since reconfirmed its safety.

The EU sets maximum permitted levels (MPLs) for how much steviol glycoside can be used in different food and beverage categories, such as yogurt or soft drinks. These levels are based on safety assessments to prevent excessive intake.

Before its 2011 approval, stevia was subject to the EU's 'Novel Food' regulations. There was insufficient scientific data to prove its safety, and the European Commission had placed a ban on its use in food products while further research was conducted.

Food products containing steviol glycosides as a sweetener must include the E-number (e.g., E960a) in the ingredients list. The label must also explicitly state "with sweetener(s)" or "with sugar(s) and sweetener(s)".