Is Steviol glycosides (E960 / INS 960) Halal?
Steviol glycosides is generally considered halal. The source is a plant, so there is no animal-derived ingredient.
Where it comes from
Steviol glycosides are the sweet compounds in the leaves of the stevia plant (Stevia rebaudiana). E960 is the food additive made from them, used as a zero-calorie sweetener in drinks, yoghurts, sweets and table-top sweeteners. EFSA describes the process as water extraction of the leaves, followed by purification with ion-exchange resins and alcohol solvents and repeated recrystallisation.
Why this status?
The source is a plant, so there is no animal-derived ingredient. That is why steviol glycosides are generally treated as halal on ingredients.
The caveat is the processing. The purification step uses alcohol solvents, and scholars differ on whether a processing solvent used during manufacture matters when it is not meant to remain in the finished food. Some products sold as stevia may also be made by methods other than leaf extraction, and the label does not always say which. A halal-certified product, or a question to the maker, settles both points. EFSA's evaluation set an acceptable daily intake of 4 mg per kg of body weight per day, expressed as steviol equivalents. This is general information, not a religious ruling or medical advice.
Editorial summary
This summary is editorial and is general information, not a religious ruling. The status above is unchanged.
What it is
Steviol glycosides are the sweet compounds found in the leaves of the stevia plant, Stevia rebaudiana. As a food additive they are labeled E960 in the EU, and they are used as a zero-calorie sweetener in drinks, yoghurts, sweets and table-top sweeteners. They appear on labels as steviol glycosides, stevia extract, stevia leaf extract, or by individual names such as rebaudioside A.
How it is made
EFSA describes E960 as made by water extraction of stevia leaves, then purification using ion-exchange resins and alcohol solvents, followed by repeated recrystallisation. Manufacturers can adjust some steps to change the mix of glycosides. The source is a plant, so there is no animal-derived ingredient.
Is it halal
On ingredients, steviol glycosides are generally treated as halal because they come from a plant. The point to know about is the processing: the purification uses alcohol solvents, and scholars differ on whether a processing solvent used during manufacture matters when it is not meant to remain in the finished food. Some products sold as stevia may also be made by other methods, and the label does not always say which. A halal certificate on the product, or a question to the manufacturer, settles both points. This is general information and not a religious ruling; ask a qualified scholar if you want a ruling.
What the safety review says
EFSA's evaluation set an acceptable daily intake of 4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day, expressed as steviol equivalents. In 2020 its panel considered a proposal to widen the specification from 11 named glycosides to 60. It found no safety concern with the 60 glycosides themselves, but said it could not conclude on the safety of the amendment while the purity threshold stayed at 95 percent. Specifications and limits can change, so check current EFSA opinions.
Reading a label
Stevia products are often blended with other sweeteners, and a blend can contain several additives. Read the whole ingredient list, and look for a halal mark if the processing question matters to you.
In short
In short, steviol glycosides are plant-derived and generally treated as halal on ingredients, with the extraction alcohol solvents as the point scholars and certifiers may weigh. A certificate or a question to the maker settles it.
Also listed on labels as
Steviol glycosides can appear on an ingredient list as stevia, stevia extract, stevia leaf extract, rebaudioside A, reb A, rebaudioside M, reb M, INS 960, E960.
Checking the product
This ingredient is generally halal, but the finished product can include other ingredients that raise questions, so read the whole list and look for a halal certificate where you need assurance.
Sources
- EFSA Panel: Safety of a proposed amendment of the specifications for steviol glycosides (E 960), EFSA Journal 2020 — Regulatory
Reviewed by Habib Aman, Islamic Scholar, MBA — last reviewed October 19, 2026.
This is general guidance for everyday shopping, not a religious ruling. Formulations vary by manufacturer and country — confirm with the manufacturer or your local scholar when it matters.
Checking a whole product?
SafaScan is a halal scanner app that is coming soon. It will check Steviol glycosides and every other ingredient on a product. Sign up for launch updates. Learn about SafaScan.
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