Is Stevia Sweetener Allowed in Europe? Understanding the EU Rules

December 22, 2025 •

4 min read

In November 2011, the European Union officially approved the use of stevia extracts as a food additive, a decision that followed decades of research and debate. Is stevia sweetener allowed in Europe? The short answer is yes, but the full story involves specific regulations that define which parts of the plant can be used and in what food categories.

Quick Summary

This article details the European Union's regulatory framework for stevia sweetener. It explains that only high-purity steviol glycosides are authorized as the food additive E960 and discusses the varying rules for stevia leaves and different forms of the extract. Information on permitted food categories and labeling requirements is also provided.

Key Points

EU Approval: Yes, highly refined steviol glycoside extracts (E960) were approved in the European Union in 2011.
Limited Use: Approval applies only to purified extracts, not the unprocessed stevia leaf, which is generally not permitted in food.
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI): The EFSA established an ADI for steviol glycosides at 4 mg/kg of body weight per day.
E-Numbering: The sweetener is identified on EU product labels by the E-numbers E960a, E960c, and E960d, depending on the production method.
Food Categories: The use of stevia sweetener is permitted in specific food and beverage categories, with strict maximum levels enforced.
Regulatory Updates: The regulation is periodically updated to include new production methods, ensuring continued safety and clarity.

Yes, But Only Specific High-Purity Extracts

For over a decade, stevia, specifically in the form of high-purity steviol glycoside extracts, has been officially permitted for use as a sweetener in the European Union. However, the approval is strictly regulated and does not cover the use of whole, dried stevia leaves in most food products, with some specific exceptions.

The EU Regulatory Path for Stevia

The journey to EU approval was a long one, marked by extensive safety evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Here is a timeline of key regulatory steps:

Pre-2011: Stevia was not approved as a food additive in the EU, though some countries had special arrangements. The whole leaf was considered a 'novel food' and was prohibited.
November 2011: The European Commission authorizes steviol glycosides as a new sweetener, officially listed as food additive E960.
2017: The use of stevia leaves for herbal infusions becomes authorized under Novel Food regulations, allowing for specific tea and fruit infusions.
2021: An amendment to the food additives regulation introduces new E-numbers, such as E960c for enzymatically produced steviol glycosides and E960d for glycosylated steviol glycosides, while E960 is renamed E960a for clarity.

Types of Stevia and EU Approval Status

Understanding the different forms of stevia is crucial for compliance with EU regulations. The EU differentiates between the crude leaf and the highly refined extracts.

Stevia Leaves and Crude Extracts: The raw leaf of the Stevia rebaudiana plant is not permitted for general food use due to safety concerns regarding its crude, unprocessed state. The exception is for use in herbal infusions.
Steviol Glycosides (E960a, E960c, E960d): These are the high-purity extracts authorized as food additives. They are extracted from the stevia leaf and further processed to contain a minimum of 95% total steviol glycosides. The E-number system ensures consumers can identify its use on product labels.

Permitted Uses and Maximum Levels in the EU

EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and its subsequent amendments dictate where and how steviol glycosides can be used. These regulations specify the food categories, from soft drinks to confectionery, and set maximum permitted levels (MPLs) for each.

Authorized Food Categories for E960

The range of food and drink products that can contain stevia sweeteners is extensive. Some examples include:

Beverages: Carbonated soft drinks, fruit juice drinks, flavored water, and teas.
Dairy Products: Flavoured fermented milk products, yogurt, and ice cream.
Confectionery: Chewing gum, candies, and some desserts.
Baked Goods: Energy-reduced fine bakery wares.
Table-top Sweeteners: Packaged for direct sale to consumers.

The Role of EFSA and Acceptable Daily Intake

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) plays a central role in assessing the safety of food additives. It established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for steviol glycosides at 4 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, expressed as steviol equivalents. The EU regulation ensures that MPLs across different food categories are low enough that normal consumption would not exceed this ADI.

Table: Comparison of Stevia Forms in the EU


Feature	Stevia Leaves/Crude Extracts	High-Purity Steviol Glycosides (E960)
EU Status	Not approved for general use (except infusions).	Approved as a food additive.
Processing	Minimally processed, dried leaves or crude leaf extracts.	Highly refined extract purified to at least 95% total steviol glycosides.
Permitted Uses	Infusions (teas), fruit, and herbal preparations.	Wide range of food and beverages (e.g., drinks, yogurt, sweets).
Labeling	Labeled as 'Stevia leaves' or similar, typically for infusions.	Must be labeled as 'sweetener' followed by E960a (or c/d) or 'steviol glycosides from Stevia'.
Safety Concerns	Crude extracts were historically evaluated for potential safety issues, leading to their restriction.	Considered safe by EFSA within the established ADI.

Conclusion: Navigating Stevia's Legal Status

In summary, the question of 'is stevia sweetener allowed in Europe?' has a nuanced answer based on the specific form of the product. The EU regulatory landscape is clear: only high-purity steviol glycoside extracts, identified by the E-number E960 (with variants like E960a, c, and d), are authorized for use in most foods and beverages. The use of the crude stevia leaf, with minimal exceptions, is not permitted due to regulatory and safety considerations. This reflects a commitment to consumer safety through rigorous testing of food additives, regardless of their natural origin. Consumers can confidently find products containing the approved E960 versions, while manufacturers must adhere to strict guidelines on purity and usage levels.

For more detailed information on European food additive regulations, including conditions of use and labelling, consult the official EUR-Lex portal at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/

Frequently Asked Questions

Steviol glycoside extracts, the purified sweeteners from the stevia plant, were officially approved for use in the European Union in November 2011.

No, the unprocessed stevia leaf is not authorized for general food use in the EU. Its use is limited to specific applications like herbal infusions.

The primary E-number for steviol glycosides is E960. Newer, enzymatically produced versions may also be labeled as E960c or E960d.

Yes, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) considers steviol glycosides safe for consumption within the established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 4 mg per kg of body weight.

Yes, the EU has approved several steviol glycoside variants, including E960a (steviol glycosides from Stevia), E960c (enzymatically produced), and E960d (glycosylated).

The product label will list 'sweetener' followed by the E-number E960a (or E960c/d) or the specific name 'steviol glycosides from Stevia' in the ingredients list.

The ADI for steviol glycosides is 4 mg per kg of body weight per day, expressed as steviol equivalents. This is a very conservative level based on safety studies.