gelling agents. Most of the remaining sulfurous volatiles are then removed by low-pressure evaporation. The juice is then pasteurized to inactivate remaining natural enzymes and kill micro-organisms. The process is claimed to preserve a substantial fraction of the mogrosides present in the fruit, with the resulting sweetness at a level about 250 times stronger than sucrose. Safety At least one generally recognized as safe (GRAS) notice has been received by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In Europe, it is classified as an unapproved Novel Food (not used in the food system before May 1997) which means that it may be marketed as a food or food ingredient only after a safety assessment and approval by the European Commission; as of 2023, Siraitia grosvenorii was not listed among approved Novel Foods in the EU. Traditional uses The plant is most prized for its sweet fruits as a sweetener. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used for cough and sore throat. The fruits are generally sold in dried form, and used in herbal tea or soup. References External links Cucurbitoideae Fruits originating in Asia Flora of China Crops originating from China Plants used in traditional Chinese medicine Dietary supplements Sugar substitutes Tropical fruit