Stevia (Steviol Glycosides)
Quick Summary
- Category: Sweeteners · Sourcing Origin: India · Form: Powder · Standard Pack Size: confirm directly
- INS 960 — derived from Stevia rebaudiana plant leaves; EFSA/JECFA ADI: 4 mg/kg body weight/day as steviol equivalents
- ~200–400× sweeter than sucrose depending on specific glycoside composition (Reb A vs Reb M)
- "Natural" positioning — plant-derived; widely used in clean-label and natural-positioned products
- May have a slight bitter or licorice aftertaste at higher concentrations, depending on grade
What Is Stevia?
Steviol glycosides are the sweet-tasting compounds extracted and purified from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, a plant native to South America. The two most commercially prominent glycosides are stevioside and rebaudioside A (Reb A), with higher-purity rebaudioside M (Reb M) available as a "next-generation stevia" with a cleaner, less bitter taste profile. Steviol glycosides are stable under most food processing conditions and have zero caloric value (they are not metabolised to provide energy — the glycoside passes through the GI tract largely intact).
Specification & Form
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Form | White to slightly off-white powder |
| Key glycosides | Stevioside, Rebaudioside A (most common), Rebaudioside M (premium grade) |
| Sweetness | ~200–400× sucrose (varies by glycoside and concentration) |
| Caloric value | Zero — not metabolised for energy |
| Heat stability | Good — suitable for baking and UHT processing |
| INS number | 960 |
| Sourcing origin | India |
| Pack size | Confirm directly with team |
| EFSA / JECFA ADI | 4 mg/kg body weight/day expressed as steviol equivalents |
How It's Sourced
YNP Ingredients sources Stevia (steviol glycosides) from certified manufacturers in India, supplied with FSSAI-compliant documentation.
Applications
- Sugar-free and reduced-calorie beverages
- Sports nutrition products (zero-calorie sweetening)
- Dietary supplements (tablets, capsules, powders)
- "Natural" or "clean-label" confectionery and baked goods
- Dairy products and desserts
Industries Served
Functional Food/Beverage · Bakery & Confectionery · Sports Nutrition · Nutraceuticals/Dietary Supplements
Buyer Checklist
- Specific glycoside grade confirmed (Reb A standard vs Reb M premium — significant price and taste profile difference)
- Steviol equivalent content confirmed on COA (for ADI calculation)
- Flavour evaluation completed in your formulation (stevia's aftertaste is concentration-dependent)
- FSSAI-compliant documentation confirmed
- Pack size and MOQ confirmed directly with team
Common Mistakes
Using a generic "stevia extract" description without specifying the grade. Stevioside-heavy extracts taste noticeably different (more bitter) from high-Reb A extracts, which taste different again from Reb M. The grade affects taste and price significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Products
Related Buyer Guides
Related Glossary Terms
Related Downloads
References
Company Information
- YNP Ingredients, Stevia product page, ynpingredients.com (India sourcing, FSSAI documentation)
Industry Information
- Codex Alimentarius. GSFA — INS 960, Steviol glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana.
- EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings. *Scientific Opinion on the safety of steviol glycosides.* EFSA Journal. 2010;8(4):1537. ADI: 4 mg/kg bw/day as steviol equivalents.
- JECFA. *Steviol glycosides — Compendium of Food Additive Specifications.* Monograph 15, 2015.