The Food Standards Agency advises that sugar substitutes such as bulk and intense sweeteners are considered to be food additives and require European Union authorisation. Steviol glycosides were approved in 2011 for use as a sugar substitute across the EU. An application, to extend the use of the approved bulk sweetener erythritol, was rejected. A revised application for that extension, and an application for the new intense sweetener advantame, are currently under discussion between the European Commission and EU member states.