Rebaudioside A
FDA has issued no-objection letters for high-purity steviol glycosides containing rebaudioside A as GRAS for use as general-purpose sweeteners. JECFA established an ADI for steviol glycosides (expressed as steviol) of 4 mg/kg bw/day.
What it is
A high-purity steviol glycoside extracted from Stevia rebaudiana leaves; one of several non-nutritive sweeteners derived from stevia.
High-intensity, zero-calorie sweetener (~200–400× sweetness of sucrose).
Why it's flagged
- only high-purity preparations are GRAS — crude stevia leaf is not
What regulators actually say
"FDA has not questioned the GRAS status of certain refined Stevia preparations, in particular high purity steviol glycosides... However, FDA has not permitted the use of whole-leaf Stevia or crude Stevia extracts because these substances have not been determined to be GRAS."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
High-purity rebaudioside A is GRAS via FDA no-objection notices (e.g., GRN 253, GRN 287); whole-leaf stevia is not GRAS.
European Union — EFSA
Steviol glycosides (E 960) authorized in the EU; ADI 4 mg/kg bw/day expressed as steviol.
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