Stevia is a plant with the botanical name Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni and in the countries Central Americas above all in Paraguay and Brazil at home.
In the EU, Stevia is not allowed as a food ingredient.
In South America on the other hand Stevia is cultivated for centuries and used as a well-being plant for the preparation of food, drinks and as sweetener. Recently Stevia was allowed as a food ingredient in Australia and the USA. In many countries, Stevia has already a significant share in the sweetener market. Therefore it is probably only a matter of time before Stevia is allowed as a natural sweetener by the EU as a food ingredient in Europe.
