Stevia extract in its powder, liquid, or syrup form has been removed from the official list of permitted food additives. This step was taken because stevia products were found to replicate another dietary supplement class known as steviol glycosides (E 960). Importantly, this change does not imply that stevia is unsafe or unusable in food production. A nutritionist and laboratory medicine consultant at the Center for Molecular Diagnostics in the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, a part of the Federal Budgetary Institution Rospotrebnadzor, clarified this distinction in a statement to socialbites.ca. (attribution: CMD)
As of February 27, 2024, the additive Stevia was removed from the list of approved food additives. Steviol glycosides, listed as E 960, continue to be permitted. This separation clarifies product labeling and avoids duplicating the same additive under different names in official inventories. (attribution: nutrition and public health authorities)
Officials noted that steviol glycosides E 960 remain on the accepted list because they are still the same stevia-based substance, now described with more precise quality and safety standards. The content of the primary compound, any impurities, and the preparation method are more clearly defined, reducing redundancy in naming while preserving the expected safety profile when used within established daily limits. (attribution: regulatory guidance)
The medical professional emphasized that the E designation belongs to substances with verified safety margins. When consumed within the maximum permissible daily intake, these substances do not pose health risks according to current regulatory assessments. This practice ensures consistent safety evaluations and consumer understanding across products that use steviol glycosides as sweeteners. (attribution: health authorities)
Historically, there have been discussions around how certain product names might appear in elderly-focused or senior-nutrition contexts, but the regulatory stance remains about safety and labeling clarity rather than the inherent harm or benefit of steviol glycosides themselves. The ongoing emphasis is on transparent labeling, accurate purity specifications, and adherence to daily intake guidelines to support informed consumer choices. (attribution: public health communications)