What Brands of Stevia Are Safe? A Guide to Choosing High-Purity Options

October 21, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), high-purity stevia leaf extract is 'Generally Recognized as Safe' (GRAS), but this classification does not extend to all stevia products. To know what brands of stevia are safe, consumers must look beyond the brand name and scrutinize the label for purity and potential additives that may pose health risks or side effects.

Quick Summary

This article explains how to identify safe stevia brands by checking for high purity (at least 95% steviol glycosides) and avoiding fillers like erythritol, dextrose, and maltodextrin. It examines popular options and provides a comparison table of brands.

Key Points

Check for Purity: Look for stevia extracts with at least 95% steviol glycosides, as this is the form deemed safe by regulatory bodies like the FDA.
Read the Label: The safest stevia brands list minimal ingredients, with pure extracts being the best for those avoiding additives.
Beware of Fillers: Blends that contain erythritol, dextrose, or maltodextrin can cause side effects or alter blood sugar, especially for sensitive individuals or diabetics.
Liquid vs. Powder: Pure liquid stevia, often containing only water and extract, is ideal for additive-free sweetening, while powders often contain fillers for bulk.
Trusted Brands: SweetLeaf (first FDA GRAS status), Now Foods BetterStevia (additive-free options), and NuNaturals (pure liquid) are known for their high-purity products.
Understand "GRAS": The FDA's "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) status applies only to high-purity stevia leaf extract, not to whole leaf or crude versions.

Understanding What Makes a Stevia Brand Safe

While the stevia plant is a natural source of sweetness, not all stevia products are created equal. The key to ensuring you are consuming a safe stevia brand is to understand the difference between high-purity stevia leaf extract and less-pure or blended products. The FDA and global regulatory bodies have approved high-purity steviol glycosides, the sweet-tasting compounds extracted from the leaf, for human consumption.

The Importance of High Purity

The most significant factor in a stevia brand's safety is the purity of its extract. Look for products containing at least 95% steviol glycosides. High-quality extracts are typically derived from rebaudioside A (Reb A) or rebaudioside M (Reb M), compounds known for a cleaner, less bitter taste. Crude or whole-leaf stevia, while sounding more 'natural,' has not been adequately tested and is not FDA-approved for use as a sweetener.

Watch Out for Fillers and Additives

Many commercial stevia products are not pure stevia. They are often blended with other ingredients to add bulk, mask a potential bitter aftertaste, or improve functionality for baking. These additives can sometimes be problematic for sensitive individuals or those with specific dietary concerns.

Erythritol: A sugar alcohol commonly used as a bulking agent. While generally safe, some studies have linked it to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, and it can cause digestive issues like bloating and diarrhea in high doses.
Dextrose and Maltodextrin: These are fillers derived from starch that can add carbs and calories to a supposedly zero-calorie product. For people with diabetes, these additives can even cause a small spike in blood sugar.
Inulin: A soluble fiber that can be included to provide bulk. While beneficial for gut health, some may experience gas or bloating.

Popular Stevia Brands and What's Inside

To help you determine which brands of stevia are safe for your needs, here is a breakdown of some popular products on the market.

SweetLeaf: This brand offers a variety of products, including liquid drops and powdered packets. The company states its products have zero calories and zero carbs, with packets containing inulin (a prebiotic fiber) and silica as a natural anti-caking agent. They also offer organic and flavored options. Their stevia was the first to receive FDA GRAS status in 2008.
Truvia: A widely available brand that uses a highly purified stevia leaf extract. It is typically a blend that includes erythritol, a sugar alcohol, to add bulk and a more sugar-like texture. This blend is responsible for Truvia's consistent taste profile.
Pure Via: Similar to Truvia, Pure Via combines stevia leaf extract (Reb A) with other natural ingredients to create a blend. It also contains erythritol and is designed for a familiar taste profile.
Stevia in the Raw: This brand offers both organic and standard packets. The standard packets contain maltodextrin as a bulking agent, which adds a minimal amount of carbs and calories. The organic version avoids erythritol and artificial flavors.
Pyure Organic Stevia Blend: As the name suggests, this is an organic blend. It is often combined with erythritol to create a granular texture suitable for baking and has zero calories and carbs.
Now Foods BetterStevia: Now Foods provides a range of BetterStevia products, including certified organic liquid and powder options. Many of their varieties, like BetterStevia liquid, are specifically formulated without erythritol or other bulking agents.
NuNaturals Liquid Stevia: This brand is a solid choice for those seeking pure liquid stevia. It is unflavored and alcohol-free, making it a clean, simple option.

Comparison of Stevia Brands


Brand	Primary Sweetener	Key Additives	Best For	Considerations
SweetLeaf	High-Purity Stevia Leaf Extract (Reb A)	Inulin, Silica	Flavoring drinks, general use	Contains fiber (inulin); some sensitive individuals may experience minor digestive effects.
Truvia	Highly Purified Stevia Leaf Extract	Erythritol	Baking, replacing granulated sugar	Erythritol may cause digestive upset in high doses; linked to heart issues in some studies.
Pure Via	Highly Purified Stevia Leaf Extract (Reb A)	Erythritol, Isomaltulose	General use, consistent sweetness	Contains sugar alcohol and other sweeteners.
Stevia in the Raw	Steviol Glycosides	Maltodextrin, Dextrose	Packets for coffee/tea	Standard packets add carbs; organic packets avoid erythritol.
Pyure Organic Stevia	Organic Stevia Extract	Organic Erythritol	Baking, keto-friendly recipes	Organic, but still contains erythritol.
Now Foods BetterStevia	Organic Stevia Extract	Varies; some liquids have no fillers	Pure liquid applications, additive-sensitive	Check labels for specific product ingredients; some packets have different formulas.
NuNaturals Liquid Stevia	Stevia Extract	None (in unflavored liquid)	Additive-free sweetness	Unflavored liquids are ideal for those avoiding all other ingredients.

How to Choose the Safest Stevia Brand for You

To make an informed decision, prioritize what is most important for your dietary needs. If purity is the top concern, brands with minimal to no additives are the best choice. Here is a simple guide:

Check for high purity (95%+ steviol glycosides): This is the FDA-approved standard for safety.
Read the ingredients list: Scrutinize for bulking agents like erythritol, dextrose, or maltodextrin. If you're concerned about digestive issues or caloric intake, avoid them.
Consider your application: For baking, a blend with a bulking agent might work better for volume, but for simple sweetening of drinks, a pure liquid or powder is often preferred.
Buy from a reputable source: Purchasing from established brands and retailers reduces the risk of buying unapproved or low-quality stevia products.

The Verdict

Ultimately, selecting a safe stevia brand requires more than just choosing a product labeled 'stevia.' Consumers must understand that only high-purity extracts are designated as safe by health authorities and that many commercial products contain additives. For maximum safety and purity, look for brands like SweetLeaf, NuNaturals, and specific Now Foods options, carefully examining the ingredient list to avoid unwanted fillers. By prioritizing high-purity extracts and being mindful of additives, you can confidently choose a stevia brand that aligns with your health and dietary goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pure stevia contains only the highly purified steviol glycoside extract from the stevia plant, while stevia blends combine this extract with other ingredients, such as erythritol, dextrose, or maltodextrin, to add bulk and alter the taste.

Erythritol and other sugar alcohols are generally considered safe, but in large amounts, they can cause digestive issues like bloating and diarrhea. Some studies have also linked erythritol to an increased risk of heart problems.

Yes, some stevia blends containing fillers like dextrose and maltodextrin can add small amounts of carbohydrates and may slightly raise blood sugar levels, which is a key concern for people with diabetes.

The FDA has not approved whole-leaf stevia because it has not been adequately tested for safety. The agency's GRAS status applies only to high-purity stevia leaf extracts, which are highly refined and have been extensively studied.

Brands that offer erythritol-free options include specific varieties of SweetLeaf and Now Foods BetterStevia, particularly the liquid extracts, and NuNaturals liquid stevia. Always check the specific product label to confirm the ingredients.

For cooking and baking, a granulated stevia blend with a bulking agent like erythritol (e.g., Pyure Organic Blend or Truvia) might work better for replicating sugar's volume and texture. However, if you prefer to avoid additives, pure stevia extract can be used with careful dosage adjustments.

To identify high-purity stevia, look for products that specify "high-purity steviol glycoside extract" or a purity level of at least 95% on the ingredient list. Reputable brands often mention their use of high-purity Reb A or Reb M.