Status: Product-specific enforcement action; published September 23, 2026.

FDA added Qingdao Honghongyuan Health Industry Technology’s “GSG 80PCT FEMA NGP Verified” to Import Alert 45-06. FDA characterizes the 80% glucosylated-steviol-glycoside product, intended as a conventional-food sweetener/flavor, as containing an unsafe food additive. Food and Drug Administration

Why it matters: This is a sharp commercialization signal: a FEMA determination or private verification does not substitute for an FDA food-additive authorization or an adequately matched GRAS basis. The alert distinguishes:

• Leaf-derived products containing at least 95% steviol glycosides and supported by relevant GRAS documentation;
• Fermentation-derived steviol glycosides that do not use stevia leaves; and
• Lower-purity leaf extracts that remain vulnerable to detention.

Affected: Stevia suppliers, importers, beverage and sweetener formulators, and firms relying on blended or glucosylated preparations.

Review next: For every steviol-glycoside ingredient, verify botanical versus fermentation origin, total-glycoside assay, principal and minor glycosides, manufacturing process, intended technical effect, and the precise GRAS notice or other authorization relied upon. Keep entry-ready COAs and manufacturing documentation; do not rely on “FEMA verified” language alone.