Introduction

Thaumatin is a naturally occurring sweet-tasting protein extracted from the fruit of the West African plant *Thaumatococcus daniellii*. It is widely used as a high-intensity sweetener and flavor enhancer in various foods and beverages. Because of its increasing popularity as a natural sweetener, many people wonder whether thaumatin is officially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This article explains its regulatory status and what it means for manufacturers and consumers.