Revised exposure assessment for steviol glycosides for the proposed uses as a food additive

Following a request from the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), carried out a revised exposure assessment of steviol glycosides from its use as a food additive, for children and adults, based on the revised proposed uses presented in the terms of reference. Revised exposures estimates have been calculated for Tier 2 using the same methodology used by the Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to food in its opinion on steviol glycosides with revised proposed use levels with the individual food consumption data for children and the adult population. The mean anticipated dietary exposure to steviol glycosides expressed as steviol equivalents in European children (aged 1-14 years) ranged from 0.4 to 6.4 mg/kg bw/day, and from 1.7 to 16.3 mg/kg bw/day at the 95^th percentile. Following the examination of the EFSA Comprehensive database, a correction was considered necessary for the consumption of non-alcoholic flavoured drinks (soft drinks) by children. The corrected exposure estimate ranges at the 95^th percentile from 1.0 to 12.7 mg/kg bw/day for children. Exposure estimates calculated for the adults UK population give a mean dietary exposure to steviol glycosides, expressed as steviol equivalents of 1.9-2.3 mg/kg bw/day and of 5.6-6.8 mg/kg bw/day for high level consumers (97.5^th percentile). The main contributors to the total anticipated exposure to steviol glycosides are non-alcoholic flavoured drinks (soft drinks) for both populations.