Steviol Glycosides (Stevia) (E960) — What You Need to Know
The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.
What Is Steviol Glycosides (Stevia)?
Steviol glycosides are the sweet compounds extracted from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, native to South America. They are 200-400 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia has been used by the Guaraní people of Paraguay for centuries as a sweetener. Despite its natural origin, the commercial extraction and refinement process is quite extensive. Stevia extracts were approved as a food additive by the FDA in 2008 and by the EU in 2011.
What Is It Used For?
Used in diet beverages, tabletop sweeteners, yogurt, and an increasing range of food products as a natural alternative to artificial sweeteners. Suitable for diabetics as it does not raise blood glucose levels.
Regulatory & Editorial Context
Steviol glycosides are generally well-tolerated. Some people report a slightly bitter, licorice-like aftertaste. Rare hypersensitivity reactions have been reported, potentially related to stevia's relationship with the ragweed family of plants (asteraceae). People with ragweed or chrysanthemum allergies should exercise caution. Some animal studies at very high doses have shown potential hormonal effects (steviol is structurally similar to plant hormones), but these effects have not been observed in humans at normal consumption levels. The FDA notes that whole leaf stevia and crude stevia extracts are not approved for food use — only high-purity steviol glycoside extracts.
eNumbers.org currently assigns Steviol Glycosides (Stevia) an editorial context label of Generally Safe with a score of 8/10. This is 2.2 points above the database average for sweeteners (5.8/10). Dataset reference year: 2023.
This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.
Commonly Found In
Always check the label for E960 or 'Steviol Glycosides (Stevia)'
▶Chemical Information
Primary Sources
Source review: 2026-08-08Official references relevant to this page. Check the agency record for current permitted uses, limits and jurisdiction-specific wording.
- European Commission: EU Food Additives Database ↗EU authorisations and conditions of use
- WHO / FAO JECFA: JECFA food-additives database ↗International evaluations and acceptable daily intakes
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Aspartame and other sweeteners in food ↗U.S. sweetener authorisations and consumer information
- European Food Safety Authority: Food additives ↗EFSA food-additive safety assessment process
Frequently Asked Questions about Steviol Glycosides (Stevia)
Quick Facts
- E-Number
- E960
- INS Number
- 960
- Category
- Sweeteners
- Origin
- Natural
- FDA Status
- GRAS
- EFSA Status
- Authorized
- ADI
- 4 mg/kg bw/day
- Dataset Review
- 2023
Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.
Quick Links
Related Additives
Other sweeteners in the same family