Steviol glycosides
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Description
Before writing the fact sheet, it is essential to carry out a very important regulatory update. In the European Union and the Codex Alimentarius, the generic code E960 (Steviol glycosides) has been updated to be much more precise due to the different production methods. It is currently divided into key subcategories:
- E960a: Steviol glycosides from Stevia (traditional plant extraction process).
- E960c: Steviol glycosides produced by enzymatic fermentation.
The food additive E960 refers to steviol glycosides, a group of high-intensity sweetening chemical compounds originally extracted from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, native to South America. Physically, it appears as a crystalline powder ranging from white to off-white, odorless, with a sweetening power 200 to 300 times that of sucrose (table sugar), providing zero caloric value in food applications.
Chemically, these compounds are diterpene glycosides, where a central molecule called steviol is attached to several glucose chains; the major and most thermally stable components are stevioside and rebaudioside A. Its primary technological function is as an intense sweetener. By specifically binding to sweet taste receptors on the human tongue, it generates a prolonged sweet signal, often accompanied by a slight bitter or licorice-like aftertaste. Its great stability to pH variations and high temperatures makes it an ideal sugar substitute for pasteurization and industrial baking processes.
The safety of E960 has been rigorously evaluated and endorsed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and JECFA (FAO/WHO), establishing a safe Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 4 mg per kg of body weight per day (expressed as steviol equivalents).
Steviol glycosides are a strategic ingredient in the formulation of reformulated foods, reduced-energy products, and foods suitable for glycemic control diets. In the soft drink industry, they are massively used in sodas, flavored waters, and ready-to-drink teas in "zero" or low-calorie versions. They are also widely used in the dairy sector (yogurts, milkshakes, and fermented desserts), in the manufacture of gummies, sugar-free chocolates, jams, breakfast cereals, and as tabletop sweeteners in liquid or powder form.
In the Spanish market, E960 is a common component in the labeling of products from major retail chains such as Mercadona (Hacendado), Carrefour, or Lidl, often appearing combined with other bulking agents (such as erythritol) to match the volume of traditional sugar in baking. The regulatory framework governing its dosage and use by category is EC Regulation 1333/2008. Internationally, the U.S. FDA classifies high-purity steviol glycoside extracts under the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status, consolidating their acceptance in global markets.
From a medical, metabolic, and toxicological perspective, E960 has an excellent safety profile and does not cause adverse effects within the ADI limits.
After ingestion, steviol glycosides are not absorbed in the upper digestive tract (stomach and small intestine). Upon reaching the colon, the gut microbiota breaks the glucose bonds, using them as a substrate, and releases free steviol, which is absorbed, metabolized in the liver as steviol glucuronide, and naturally excreted through urine. Since no free glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream, it does not raise blood sugar levels or alter insulin response, making it safe for people with diabetes.
Long-term scientific studies coordinated by EFSA rule out any potential carcinogenic, genotoxic, or adverse effects on fertility. Unlike polyols, it does not cause dental caries because plaque bacteria cannot ferment it.
Consumption of foods sweetened with E960 within a normal diet poses no risk to overall consumer health and stands as an effective alternative for calorie reduction according to international scientific consensus.
- Steviol glycosides
- Stevia extract
- Stevioside / Rebaudioside
- Steviol glycosides
Products in our Spanish database containing this additive
Examples found in ComerClaro Spanish product database
Product names and supermarket data may appear in Spanish.
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