Because the sweetness is extracted straight from the leaf, stevia is vegan. In tabletop and drink form it is often blended with erythritol or another bulking agent, which are themselves plant-based, so the finished sweetener stays vegan.
Erythritol (E968)Erythritol is a sweetener grown by yeast on plant sugar. Unlike its milk-derived cousin lactitol, its name hides nothing.
Xylitol (E967)Xylitol is the tooth-friendly sweetener made from birch or corn. It is plant-based, though a quick warning: it is dangerous to dogs.
Sorbitol (E420)Sorbitol is a sweetener and moisture-keeper made from plant glucose. It is the reason sugar-free gum stays soft, and it is plant-based.
Frequently asked
Is E960 vegan?
Yes. E960 is steviol glycosides from the stevia plant, so it is vegan.
Is stevia processed?
The sweet compounds are extracted and purified from the leaf, so it is more processed than a whole leaf, but it remains a plant-derived sweetener and is vegan.
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