What is Stevia?

Stevia is derived from Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni, a plant native to Paraguay, South America. Stevia has been used as a sweetener in several South American countries for hundreds of years and purified stevia-extract has experienced widespread use in Japan since the 1970s.

The source of stevia’s sweetness can be found in the molecules of the plant’s leaf, called steviol glycosides. Today, advanced technologies can isolate and purify these sweet molecules to develop a premium quality stevia-extract. This extract offers a high intensity, low-calorie, natural sweetening option for foods and beverage manufacturers, as well as various pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry applications.

Quick on the heels of the FDA's first GRAS approval in the United States in December 2008, steviol glycosides extract in foods and beverages were approved in many countries across the globe. Following the French and Swiss lead, approval for steviol glycosides usage (with total steviol glycosides greater than 95%) is expected at the end of the month for the European Union.